Waiting to hear if Rocco, three, can have life-saving double transplant

The family of a little boy who cannot eat or drink are keeping their fingers crossed that he will be able to have a life-saving double transplant.

Rocco Seagrove, three, of West End Lane in Stoke Poges, suffers from intestinal failure and has to be fed intravenously through a catheter.

Mum Luciana, 32, said: "He is such a happy and bubbly boy on the outside, you would never know he is ill."

But being fed by a catheter has led to severe complications such as bone disorders, septicemia and liver disease.

Rocco is linked up to machines feeding him antibiotics and morphine. He has to undergo blood transfusions every four to six weeks.

"We are waiting to see if he can have a transplant."

Luciana, her husband - painter and decorator Lloyd, 31 and Rocco's sister Olivia, seven, are keeping their fingers crossed that he will be suitable for a liver and bowel transplant that could enable him to eat and drink like other children.

Luciana said: "Rocco has had tests done on his lungs that will reveal if he can have the transplant. We can only wait for the result."

The family has been getting vital help and support from the Alexander Devine Berkshire’s Children’s Hospice Service - the charity set up by Dedworth couple John and Fiona Devine in memory of their son Alexander.

Its ultimate aim is to build a children's hospice but it also provides nurses to help families like Rocco's.

Nurse Lucy Jones visits Rocco and his parents several times a week, freeing them to pick up his sister Olivia, seven, from school or pop to the shops. She also attends hospital appointments with Rocco and his parents.

Luciana said: "Over the last three years I have learned medical skills I never dreamed I would have. But Alexander’s nurse has been my rock 24/7, we would be lost without her."