Supporting the Free Family Through Medical Crisis

Hello, I'm Felitia--sister to Alissa Buss. I created this Go Fund Me on their behalf to try to provide some assistance for them.

Alissa and Andrew welcomed their son, Hunter, in November of 2023. While in utero, it was discovered that Hunter had a cyst on his lung and would need surgery within the first year of his life to remove it. This ended up happening in March of 2024. It was a successful surgery and he has healed 100%! Andrew was on paternity leave until January of 2024 and he returned to work.

Two weeks after Hunter's surgery, Andrew and Hunter took a fall down stairs. In an effort to protect his 4 month old who was still healing from surgery, Andrew did severe damage to his quad. Adrenaline and pure "Dad strength" got him and Hunter back inside the house while he waited for our parents and an ambulance to come and check on them. Hunter was perfectly fine. Andrew, however, was not. Later that week, he underwent his first surgery to completely repair his quad--how he was able to walk the doctor's did not know because it was torn to shreds. He started his long road of recovery which included 4 weeks of being non-weight bearing. By mid-June, Andrew was developing a lot of scar tissue which was causing his leg to stop bending. They decided he needed to have a MUA procedure (Manipulation Under Anesthesia) done. The procedure seemed to have worked, however the day before he was supposed to return to work, they discovered his patellar tendon was now torn. He is now scheduled for his 3rd surgery to repair this tear. This surgery is far more extensive than the first surgery he had to undergo. He will need to go through special physical therapy to keep his quad from cementing to his bone and go back to being non-weight bearing for up to 12 weeks. The length of time he will have to continue being out of work at the moment is unknown and dependent on his recovery.

All the while this is happening, Alissa has been juggling the household, caring for her son and husband, and working as a nurse at St. Michael's Hospital. It has been very stressful but they have been grateful to the family members and friends who have stepped in to help with childcare, up keeping the house, and making meals.

Reality is continuing to sink in as bills are starting to pile up from Hunter's surgery, Andrew's 3 surgeries, 2 Emergency Room Visits, an ambulance ride and other responsibilities and cause more hardships due to them having one income for the time being. Therefore, we are doing a very difficult task in asking others for assistance to help them through this time of need. Anything that you can provide to help pay for medical bills, groceries, and other bills would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for reading our story and for your consideration in donating.