How do I handle a long gap on my résumé? - any advice?

My résumé shows a gap from a layoff and some health issues. I have done some volunteering and a course during that time. Did anyone get past it?

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 9 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.