The bullets caused major bladder and intestinal injuries.
His parents, Diane and Jerry Frappier, just returned home to Stanly County from visiting him.
They said Cooke wouldn't even talk about that day for more than a week.
He told his parents he was just feet away from accused gunman Major Nidal Hasan.
They said he later re-lived the chilling details as gunfire erupted around him.
They said before Cooke was struck he dove to cover a soldier who was shot in the chest.
"When Matt started to move, he shot Matt one last time and that's the shot that went into his gut," Diane Frappier said. "Matt said that was the shot that really hurt."
She said another soldier who was shot once in the back herself then saved Cooke's life.
Frappier said she believes more people would have died, had it not been for the soldiers' training and bravery.
Cooke has to have at least two more surgeries.
He will receive in-home nursing care until he's well enough to go to a full time rehab center.
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