Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Penguin Business
Pages: 288
Published: May 22nd, 2023
Rating: 5/5
Buy at: Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Review:
In 1997, 21-year-old Kamal Shah was all set to follow his dream of pursuing his master’s degree in engineering in the US. With a visa in tow and just two weeks to go, he proceed to complete the formalities that included preventive vaccination. What began as a slight fever deteriorated into emergency hospitalization. Within hours, his kidneys had failed and he needed hemodialysis to flush out the toxins from his body.
Thus began a painful journey of dealing with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (AHUS) quashing his dreams. But Kamal refused to let the kidney disease define him. With lessons learnt dealing with the disease, he, along with co-founder Vikram Vupulla, set out to revolutionize dialysis care in India. Laying the foundation of a patient-centric NephroPlus network in 2009.
Silver Lining: Overcoming Adversity to Build NephroPlus- Asia’s Largest Dialysis Provider by Kamal Shah is a deeply personal and inspiring memoir. Part personal and part business memoir, it chronicles the author’s journey over the past 25 years.
“To me, quality of life was paramount. I needed to lead a normal life or as close to that as I could get. Every time I had a problem, I tried to figure out how I could get back my life. That was the only motivation. Nothing else. Normality is the only thing I desired.“
The personal memoir is an intimate insight into the author’s journey from the AHUS diagnosis, a failed renal transplant, a brief respite with peritoneal dialysis that was crushed abruptly due to the 2004 tsunami, and finally home dialysis. It is raw and emotional. The author holds nothing back. The grit and determination to lead a full life. A proactive approach to his treatment.
The business memoir narrates the journey of building up NephroPlus from scratch to more than 300 centres across four countries. It is a conversation on the healthcare ecosystem in India. Commercialization, exhaustive costs, cookie-cutter treatments, and lack of standardized protocols that often result in dialysis patients getting infected with hepatitis. It is also an honest look at the startup environment. The seed funding and wheeling dealings. The business aspect of running such a wide network of dialysis centers.
“Making the patient a part of the decision-making process cannot be an afterthought…. It’s their life and they deserve to know what options they have.“
The exhaustive treatment and regular dialysis take a toll on the physical, mental, and financial well-being of the patient and the family. In India, kidney failure and dialysis are considered a death knell. The author set out to change this perspective. Leading from the front, inspiring patients to lead a normal life. Making dialysis more affordable. Hosting patient-centric event Aashayein to Dialysis Olympiad that includes track and field events.
Kamal Shah sought a silver lining in the dark of times. True to its name, the book serves as a silver lining to kidney patients and their families too. A testimony of personal strength in the face of adversity. Of taking on the challenges. About inspiring others. Busting the popular myth that a dialysis patient cannot lead a full life.
What began as a personal blog in 2007 that documented the author’s journey has been an inspiration to millions. A blog that was instrumental in building the NehproPlus network. A strong-willed desire to ensure dialysis was accessible for every patient.
I would highly recommend the book. Not just as a compelling memoir but also to educate yourself about chronic kidney disease. How does one rate a journey so personal? I would give it an all five stars for the readability and impact.
About Kamal Shah
Kamal Shah was diagnosed with kidney failure in 1997 at the age of 21. He was immediately put on dialysis. He underwent an unsuccessful kidney transplant in 1998. He’s been on dialysis ever since – about 26 years to date. Kamal believes people can lead normal lives despite being on dialysis. He works full-time, swims every morning, travels and has fun – all things a healthy person does. To enable more and more people to lead normal lives on dialysis, Kamal co-founded NephroPlus in 2009 which is India’s largest dialysis provider. With a presence in 4 countries, serving 22,000+ patients in about 320 centres, NephroPlus is a truly patient-centric company that has made a difference to thousands of lives over the years.
Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn
I would like to thank the author Kamal Shah and the publisher Penguin Random House for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Monidipa Dutta.
June 30, 2023 @ 12:55 pm
That is really a story of grit and determination. Any chronic disease is fatal and leads to financial distress. It’s amazing that he is living a normal life, depsite a kidney failure. And to spread the message with a meaningful system, that’s even more inspirational.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:23 pm
Exactly Ambica. He went through so many pitfalls but still held on to positivity.
June 30, 2023 @ 4:50 pm
This review of “Silver Lining: Overcoming Adversity to Build NephroPlus” is truly inspiring, Ritu. The combination of personal and business aspects makes the book a compelling read, and Kamal’s commitment to improving dialysis care is commendable. I am sure it deserves all five stars for its readability and the impact it creates. But I steer clear of reading or watching anything that would trigger my mental health.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:25 pm
It is indeed one, Harjeet. That is perfectly okay not to pick it up. Mental health is paramount.
June 30, 2023 @ 8:13 pm
Kamal Shah is inspirational, he not only conquered his personal malady but turned it into a business opportunity to take dialysis to the common man in need. With India’s Diabetic population rising fast, we need more such facilities. Thanks for sharing this book review, I’m sure the book makes for informative reading.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:29 pm
That is truly inspiring, Preeti. He didn’t want fellow patients to suffer the way he did.
July 1, 2023 @ 2:44 pm
Wowwww! soooo inspirational and what an incredible journey! If uv given it a 5/5 Ritu, I m sure the book is more than worth.
My MIL died of kidney failure after prolonged diabetes and 3 yrs of dialysis in 2016, she was only 56. I know how bad it gets and how difficult it is to remain positive. Kamal Shah seems to be really strong mentally, by will and vision. So admirable!
August 5, 2023 @ 12:31 pm
I am so sorry to know that Kaveri. Kidney disease not just affects the patient but the family as well. Love and prayers for your family. 🤗
July 1, 2023 @ 10:42 pm
Wow, Ritu! This book review sounds absolutely inspiring! If you’ve rated it 5/5. I’m certain the book is truly exceptional. Kamal Shah’s story is remarkable as he not only overcame his personal challenges but also turned them into a chance to offer dialysis to people in need. Thanks for this review.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:32 pm
It indeed is, Anjali. Do give it a read.
July 2, 2023 @ 11:25 am
More than the book but knowing about the author I am super impressed with his level of positivity and fighter spirit . For many it will be imaginable to think of sustaining life being on dialysis and he proved that nothing is impossible when you have a strong heart and will to make impossible things possible. This book is something I will love to have in my library and read and wish to make many people read especially the ones who lose all hope of surviving after Kidney failure. Now I understood why you rate it 5/5. Loved he review
August 5, 2023 @ 12:33 pm
So very true. Living with dialysis for 20+ years and still maintaining positivity. Hats off to him. It is such an inspiring memoir.
July 2, 2023 @ 1:41 pm
Kamal Shah’s life journey is very inspiring. It is a very interesting and informative book. He didn’t want others to suffer the way he did and always puts patients first. That is very commendable.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:34 pm
Absolutely. Only the one who has gone through the difficulties understands the real issues.
July 2, 2023 @ 4:57 pm
I lost a friend because of kidney problem and still can’t get over how each day he suffered caz of the dialysis. He once wished if he could find a doner, his own brother also didn’t give him a kidney.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:37 pm
I am so sorry to know that, Flavia. God bless his soul. 🙏
July 2, 2023 @ 8:03 pm
I always love memoirs…they are full of lessons and so personal. Will check this out,Ritu. Thanks for sharing.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:38 pm
Do pick it up, Janaki
July 2, 2023 @ 8:26 pm
The people who refuse to give up and are on a hunt for solutions for their disease emerge as winners in life and from your review, the book sounds motivational and inspiring.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:38 pm
Absolutely 💯
July 2, 2023 @ 11:16 pm
Touching & inspiring. As they say….some situations make one tough up and face things head on. Basically you have no choice expect giving up….and that is not an option. I have a school friend too who is on dialysis for the last 22 years. Most of us didn’t know about it….was quite humbling to know about her struggle and experiences.
August 5, 2023 @ 12:41 pm
That is so very true. We often don’t realize their struggles and it is often humbling that our own appear smaller in comparison.
July 3, 2023 @ 11:24 pm
Memoirs are always special to read as you get to know someone a little more personally
August 5, 2023 @ 12:41 pm
Absolutely
July 4, 2023 @ 9:24 am
Nephro plus is definitely revolutionary. Dialysis isn’t an easy routine both for the patients and the caregiver. Kudos to Kamal Shah for being such an inspiration!
August 5, 2023 @ 12:42 pm
Very true. I have seen members of extended family go through it and it takes a huge toll.
July 6, 2023 @ 10:05 am
I am really selective about Memoirs. But this seems interesting. Thanks for the detailed review, Ritu. 🙂
August 5, 2023 @ 12:43 pm
I am picky too, Shalini. And often avoid celebrity memories. This one is worth a read, though.
August 14, 2023 @ 8:26 pm
I would have never picked this book on my own but reading your review makes it sound so inspirational. Great job with the review.