Going back after 6 months at home after 7 years as a software tester

I stepped out for 6 months to care for a family member and now want to return. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I have been taking an online course. How did you get back in?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.