When Women Get Sick: An Empowering Approach for Getting the Support You Need

Bloom (Breast Cancer in the Workplace), a former employee benefits attorney, delivers a powerful resource for women dealing with serious illnesses. Aiming to help readers address healthcare and workplace concerns, Bloom offers valuable advice on navigating HIPAA laws, fighting arbitrary insurance denials, combating incorrect bills, and building emotional strength. She encourages readers to draft a team of advocates to help with appointments and other matters; to be cautious when doing research on the internet; and to get familiar with their workplace benefits and be comfortable using them, noting that doing so “is not accepting charity.... You’ve earned them.” Along the way, the author shares her experience helping her mother and sister with their breast cancer diagnoses, and her forthrightness and hopeful spirit permeate every page, as when she writes, “Maybe your case won’t be the case that finally makes the world stand up and notice how broken the system is, but at least you can protect yourself during your healing journey and come back in fighting shape.” Women contending with a difficult diagnosis will find Bloom’s impassioned advocacy and solid mix of logistical and emotional guidance a boon. (July)