Tuesday 17 April 2007

Bullet-proof heart


This man lived with a bullet in his heart for almost 40 years.

Le Dinh Hung, now 60 years old, was shot at by American troops in 1968 during the Vietnam War (the Vietnamese would call that the American War) and the bullet lodged itself at the back of his heart after entering his body through his stomach.

Vietnamese doctors were at first unsuccessful in removing the inch-long slug in 1969 and Le had been living with constant chest pains. However, he entered the Hanoi Heart Hospital last week and underwent a successful three-hour surgery. Doctors also replaced his heart valve.

"I was very lucky to survive," he said from his hospital bed. "People believe in their fate and I do too."

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