Hospital hallways have a unique hum. It is a mixture of muffled beeping, sneakers squeaking against a bleached floor, and vigorous typing at a distant computer. Most would find this sound to be downright irritating; the same noises over and over twenty-four hours per day. For me, this sound is a symbol of hope. The longer I hear this hum, the sooner I can leave. Whenever I step out of my hospital room and hear these noises, I know I...

I sent a formal deferral...