Nicholas Toms Franca...has passed

Beautiful son, brother, relative, soulmate and friend....

You taught the world to not waste time, to LIVE,  not just exist, to love with all of your heart.  Thank you for the gift that is you.... Your journey truly has changed the lives of many.  We are so proud of how you chose to fight the unthinkable.......... 

At 3:50am on May 1, 2011... you had enough....  You didn't do it like they said you would.  You didn't show slow signs for a couple of hours.  Your heartrate dropped, then stopped with no effort, no struggle........ 

So many of his friends came to say goodbye yesterday.... 

Now fly with the angels dear son... so many others are there to welcome you.

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Prayers for peace to surround the Franca family as they sit watch with Nick...heavy hearts tonight:

It is time to accept the things we cannot change...

Today we had a meeting with Dr. Gonzales and a whole team of people.  Nick is not going to get better.  His bilirubin continues to rise, his kidneys are weakening, his lungs are filling with fluid.  Jeff, Jim, Alyson and Kelly and I were there to absorb the finality of what they were saying.  Kelly is having the hardest time.  Nick was her knight in shining armor... They are soul mates and she is feeling very lost, knowing he will leave her soon.

We moved from ICU to the regular unit and discontinued most meds, accept pain meds and platelets.  He is very comfortable.  We won't go home to hospice because first, it won't be long, and second he needs platelets daily and we don't want him to suffer with internal bleeding.  Dr. Gonzales cried as she spoke to us about his tenacious in your face spirit.... she loves him as all of us do.  We all want peace for my precious son.

We don't know if it will be a day or a week.  He is not really conscious....  we will keep vigil by his side and keep you all informed of what will be next.........

http://www.lyricshall.com/lyrics/Laura+Story/Blessings/

From: Sylvia Pituch

Date: April 21, 2011 7:34:31 AM CDT

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Subject: Prayers for Nick's journey......

From Nick's dad..........please continue to pray......have followed Nick since his dx at age 16......have met with his mom and family on a few occasions and continually keep in touch with her ......my heart is so heavy for them........Lord, hear our prayer.   Thank you. 

 We have received some very critical information since Caryn's last post this morning.  Some of this information is medical data that indicates Nick's situation is grave.