A Reason to Smile
Monsignor Mock Yen of Kingston, Jamaica was always full of life. He was a priest, a beloved leader and the Vicar General of Kingston, Jamaica. More importantly, he was a friend.
Monsignor was involved in the community, and he was well loved by his parishioners. He increasingly became sick. The man who had helped so many, was now at the mercy of others. He required hospitalization. At first, this was in Jamaica. As his situation deteriorated, he was taken to Mercy Hospital in Miami. For 21 days, he clung to life. Unable to maintain bodily functions, he required intensive care. He was medically complex, and he experienced multi-organ failure. He was unresponsive.
As his complex medical condition stabilized, he was admitted to Sister Emmanuel Hospital for long-term acute care. He required mechanical support for breathing. He needed medications to maintain his heart rate, and he received nutrition through a tube placed in his stomach. Things were very different for the active man. Over the course of several weeks, Father Mock improved. First it was his mind. He started to see clearly again. As the interdisciplinary team worked with him, he advanced. He started to decrease his reliance on the ventilator. He started moving. He initiated eating. As time passed, he was returning to normal. He no longer required a breathing machine, and he could eat on his own. He could walk, talk and now, he is back!
Father Mock returned to Jamaica. He is back in his society, and he returned to his church. To continue his mission and his work. Today, he can be found helping his people, and continuing to inspire his community as well as the Sister Emmanuel Hospital family!
Father Mock visiting with Beverlin Allen, ARNP,
Chief Nursing Officer, on a visit to Miami.