"Chance at Life" is a medical drama that explores the lives of patients and staff in a dialysis unit. The story follows characters like Rachel, a novice nurse facing personal and professional struggles, Darnell, a patient waiting for a kidney transplant, and Elizabeth, a seasoned nurse practitioner diagnosed with kidney failure.

Themes and Plot:
- *The human spirit*: The book highlights the resilience and hope that patients and staff exhibit in the face of adversity.
- *Ethical dilemmas*: The dialysis unit is a high-stakes environment where conflicts and moral dilemmas arise.
- *Relationships and connections*: The story showcases the unforeseen connections that form between patients and staff.

"Chance at Life" offers a poignant exploration of the human spirit and the complexities of living with kidney failure. The book is a gripping and heartfelt portrayal of the challenges and triumphs faced by patients and staff in a dialysis unit.

Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for those with end-stage renal failure, but it significantly impacts daily life.

Daily Life Impacts:
- *Time commitment*: Dialysis sessions can be time-consuming, lasting several hours, and may need to be done multiple times a week.
- *Dietary restrictions*: Patients on dialysis often need to follow a strict diet, limiting fluid intake, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
- *Fatigue*: Dialysis can cause fatigue, weakness, and anemia, making it challenging to maintain daily activities.

Innovative Approaches to Dialysis:
- *New medications*: Researchers are exploring medications like SGLT-2i and finerenone to slow kidney disease progression.
- *Stem cell research and genetic therapies*: Scientists are investigating potential treatments to repair or replace damaged kidney cells.
- *Personalised treatment plans*: Healthcare teams are working to create tailored plans, incorporating lifestyle changes, medication, and dialysis.

An insightful book which clearly benefits from the lived experience of the author. I thought this showed how pain, sickness and recognition of mortality can be managed so differently by different people and this made for a very interesting reading experience. With the modern context of Covid 19 incorporated into the plot, this is a very current social commentary, too.