Soldier reunites with medical staff who saved his life
DURHAM (WTVD) -- A soldier who almost didn't survive a training accident at Fort Bragg reunited Friday with the medical staff who saved his life.
Sgt. Cory Muzzy returned to Duke University Medical Center for the special reunion.
Muzzy served two tours of duty overseas, but never dreamed he would be injured in a training accident last February here at home. But, he says thanks to Duke staff he's still alive to enjoy his wife and young son.
That training accident on base last February killed one soldier and injured six others besides Muzzy, who was in critical condition.
"I had a brain bleed, broken neck, broken forearm. I lost my right leg and my left foot got mangled up," recalled Muzzy.
He was also in danger of permanently losing his eyesight, but his greatest concern at the time was heavy bleeding on his brain.
"My concern was he wasn't going to make the trip," admitted Dr. Mark Shapiro, Duke's Chief of Acute Care. "I thought he had a high chance of dying before he got here."
Shapiro said it was thanks to a team of experts all working at once, ranging from neurologists to orthopedic surgeons, that they were able to save Muzzy. The soldier, his wife Michelle, and their 4-year-old son Killean are eternally grateful.
"If he had not come here, I really do not think that he would be here. I just don't, and if it hadn't been for that man right there... " his wife Michelle said before pausing, overcome by emotion as she nodded toward Shapiro.
The doctor was also overcome by emotion during the reunion, as he reflected on the miracle of seeing Muzzy again with his wife and child and knowing his team played a role in saving him.
However, Shapiro also gives much of the credit to Muzzy.
"Everybody wanted to see the warrior in Cory come out, and I think that's what we see. We don't see a patient at Duke anymore, we see the warrior," Shapiro said as he choked up.
Muzzy reportedly wowed everyone at Duke with his strength and determination. In addition to the love and support of family and fellow soldiers, he also got support from a furry friend while he was there: his former therapy dog Kylie.
"I remember she actually got half in bed with me and you know it always lifts my spirits when animals are around," said Muzzy, as Kylie sat beside him, enjoying the rhythmic petting of his hand.
Kylie's handlers surprised the Sergeant by bringing her to the reunion. Muzzy shared his goals for the future, which include perhaps training a therapy dog of his own to take to hospitals so he can share his story and offer hope to other trauma patients.
Muzzy is currently on leave from Texas where he has been undergoing rehabilitation. He will spend the next couple of weeks with family and friends in Roseboro, and will host a couple of parties to thank supporters who have helped him raise money. A Facebook page chronicles his progress:
https://www.facebook.com/theteammuzzy/timeline?ref=page_internal.
