Name: Ian Gaskin

Listen to his story:

Diagnosis: Cystic Febrosis

At three months old Heather Gaskin took Ian, her son, to the hospital due to breathing problems he was having.  He was in respiratory distress and within days went into respiratory failure.  It was at this time in October 2000 that the test for Cystic Fibrosis came back positive.  Ian has been undergoing treatments and battling cystic fibrosis from the beginning.  Cystic Fibrosis is a lung disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. 

He has coughing spells that last between 30 and 45 minutes.  Ian also receives antibiotics to help fight off the bacteria in his system.  These require a two week stay at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.  The antibiotics are given via a port that was placed into his chest. 

Ian must take pancreatic enzymes every time he eats to fight off the bacteria in his system.  He has a hard time keeping weight on and thus must receive additional nutrients and calories via a feeding tube in addition to the high calorie high protein diet he already sticks with.

Recently Ian found out that he has moderate lung disease and asthma in addition to cystic fibrosis. 

Ian is a determined child and looks forward to the future ahead.  There is no cure for cystic fibrosis at this time but due to technology the live span has drastically increased if compared to previous cases.