Getting Cracked: Preparing for Open Heart Surgery is an excellent read about the realities of getting very sick, and the institutional hurdles that prevent optimal care. It shows that even someone well-versed in the healthcare system has issues navigating the byzantine process.
To help readers, this book is designed to be practical—he lays out key scientific information in summary boxes, and provides actionable tips like "don't' specify when you will return for work for short-term disability...because you don't actually know yet!" (And specifying this date ahead of time will cause problems! Readers are instructed to ask questions and to never feel like they are a bother.
Lastly, the book punctuated these practical information with entertaining and heartwarming stories. Jon Frazier showed the value and variety of support from friends and loved ones.
As someone who fingers crossed, is not having heart surgery soon--I still found the book inspirational in getting my paperwork together so I am not a burden should anything go down, and the importance of documenting experiences.