Heart surgeon shares why he told a bullet wound patient to buy a lottery ticket after miracle surgery

In a remarkable medical case, Dr Jeremy London treated a gunshot victim whose bullet was discovered in his heart three days post-injury.
Near-fatal injuries can often be deadly and can even cause the death of a patient. However, there are some miracle stories that instil one's faith in the efficiency of the medical system. Dr Jeremy London, a cardiovascular surgeon, in an October 6 Instagram post, recalled one such memorable story of a young gunshot victim who survived a near-fatal injury.
Story of a patient who dodged death by inches
Sharing the story, Dr Jeremy revealed that the young patient got shot in the midbody with a mid-calibre weapon. His entry wound was between his chest with no exit wound.
The cardiovascular surgeon explained how the trauma service wasn't sure if the bullet wound was in the belly or in the chest. So, they called him to come in and help.
During the rescue operation, he revealed: “They explored the belly. The belly was filled with blood. They did an amazing job of taking care of all the associated injuries and getting control of the bleeding, which was venous bleeding, dark bleeding. which believe it or not, even though it's low pressure, can be harder to control than arteries.” But they never found the bullet.
The bullet was found in…
However, in a surprising turn of events, 3 days later, on a routine chest X-ray, even though the other chest X-rays had been normal, the bullet was seen in his right atrium.
According to Dr Jeremy, the patient was sent to get an echocardiogram, an ultrasound that showed the bullet bouncing around in his heart. “Took him back to the operating room, put him on the bypass machine without stopping his heart. I was able to go in and take the bullet out,” he revealed.
‘Buy a lottery ticket…’
After the miracle surgery, the patient spent about 3 weeks in the hospital and recovered well. Before going home, Dr Jeremy recommended him to buy a lottery ticket. Why?
“Before he went home, I looked at him. I said, ‘You don't know how lucky you are. You actually should have died as a result of this gunshot wound.’ We sent him home, and I said, ‘Listen, on your way home, stop and buy a lottery ticket and stay out of lightning storms’.”
Want to read more miraculous stories? Click here to read the story of a 73-year-old woman in whom doctors discovered a 30-year-old calcified fetus.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
ABOUT THE AUTHORKrishna Pallavi PriyaKrishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More
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