Surgery gives life to £19m winner
Written: 3rd March, 2008
mergency surgery is allowing a seriously ill man who won a £19m lottery jackpot to finally start to enjoy his fortune.
Stephen Smith, 58, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, said after the win he would swap the money for good health.
His quality of life was blighted by an aortic aneurysm that left his life hanging in the balance.
Following surgery Mr Smith said he was looking forward to spending the cash and travelling with his wife, Ida.
Mr Smith, a former doorman and bingo caller who shared a one-bedroom council flat with his 68-year-old wife, was the sole winner of an £18,992,109 jackpot on 26 January.
Within a few days of the win, he bought a new car and signed contracts to buy a five-bedroom bungalow.
But the aneurism, diagnosed three years ago, meant he had to be within 30 minutes of a hospital at all times, in case it burst.
He was rushed into hospital last week with chest pains and after tests, was referred for surgery the following day.
He wept as he praised the team of surgeons and the "angels" who took care of him in hospital.
"They are the unsung heroes," he said. "I can't give them enough praise."
The operation was successful and Mr Smith said the operation had given him more freedom than the lottery win.
"The best thing about the win was that I knew if my wife was left on her own, she would be looked after," he said.
"But I wanted a lot more years with her and now I have got them. She's one in a million and now I can grow old with her.
"I'm happier now than when I won the money.
"[The aneurysm] is like having a sack of potatoes on your shoulders. There was a black shadow hanging over me.
"And now I can travel, I can go to Italy to see my family for Christmas. That will be a dream come true."
Source BBC news