BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Army Specialist Matthew McCool is in a military hospital in Palo Alto and is undergoing testing for his brain injury suffered while on tour in Iraq.

McCool 's family said he is doing well and they are waiting for a prognosis and that many of the tests he is taking are cognitive.

They also said he is walking, though a bit slower.

McCool said he doesn't remember everything about the blast. "The explosion occurred on the left hand side of the truck. I was in the driver's seat that day. I was in the lead truck," he said.

He said the explosion shot up through the truck, sending shrapnel that lacerated parts of his body, causing a fracture to the front of his skull, and burning and cutting his face.

McCool said his helmet was completely destroyed. “My face felt like it was on fire. I couldn't see anything. And my hearing was pretty much gone at that point. I was just bleeding a lot ... So I couldn't see and I couldn't hear."

Write to U.S. Army Specialist Matthew McCool:

Attention: SPECIALIST Matthew McCool

3801 MIRANDA AVE. UNIT 7D

PALO ALTO CALIFORNIA , 94304