I don't think you mention where you live, but in many western countries prospective employers cannot ask about these sorts of health issues and you do not need

I don't think you mention where you live, but in many western countries prospective employers cannot ask about these sorts of health issues and you do not need to tell them either (unless you need reasonable adjustments made etc). Obviously it varies a bit between countries but I think they are largely similar. I'd just not mention it at all. If asked you can tell them the truth that you were trying out some of your own business ideas and doing some freelance but then got unwell. Don't go into detail about the illness or other family stuff. If they specifically ask and press you about your health after saying that then they are probably breaking the law if you are in a western country. If they ask you could just say something like "I don't really want to go into it all - suffice to say that I'm all better now and excited to get back to work" etc. A good interviewer should just skip over the health issue and hopefully say something like "Sorry to hear about your illness, but hey I'd love to hear about those business ideas you were working on! Tell me more!" Etc. It might be worth trying to pick up some more freelance stuff now for a couple of reasons: ease back into a working life on your own terms, and also to have some more recent work experience to demonstrate to prospective employers. Good luck.