MILWAUKIE, OR (KPTV) -
A Milwaukie man is barely alive after he was hurt while serving in Afghanistan.
Alexander Hussey was on patrol with the Fourth Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Infantry, when he was hurt in an explosion this week.
On Thursday, family and friends got good news about his condition.
He was improving and had been moved to a hospital in Germany where he was listed in critical but stable condition.
It's been an agonizing few days for family and friends of Hussey.
"It's been really hard. It's a crisis situation. We woke up Tuesday to real horrible news," said Herb Stover, Hussey's uncle.
On Tuesday, Hussey was hurt while on patrol in Afghanistan.
His family said an improvised explosive device went off, seriously injuring him.
They said he lost both his legs, at about mid-calf, and suffered numerous broken bones to the rest of his body.
Hussey is a graduate of Milwaukie High School and people like Mark Pinder, the principal at the school, remember him very well.
"Alex was a well liked student by staff and his peers. He was active in the athletics department and played football," said Pinder, "but when you know a kid and put a face on it, it makes news like this even worse."
Hussey's family started a support page on Facebook so that his friends can leave comments and stay updated on his condition.
On Thursday afternoon, one of Hussey's brothers posted an update that said he didn't have internal injuries or brain damage, like they first thought.
"Yeah, he's a fighter and I think he's going to fight especially when he sees all the support he has, not only from his family but from the community," added Stover.
Hussey was set to return home from this mission in a just a couple of months, but now, he's left fighting to survive.
"We're just so proud of him, that he has met every challenge," said Stover.
Hussey may have a long road to recovery but his family says he's a strong person who just doesn't give up very easily.
"He was doing his job and he's really a hero in our eyes and we just really love him and really proud of him," said Stover.
Family and friends are trying to collect money to help some of Hussey's family fly out to see him when he makes it back to the United States, which could be as early as next week.
If you'd like to help Alex Hussey and his family you can donate via Paypal to feedingtheanimals@hotmail.com
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