Elvispilot,
Keep your chin up mate, keep plugging away. It will come together before you know it. 18.8 hrs and no solo over 8 months is on par. After a 5 month break I'd say you would need at least an hr and a bit of airwork and a good solid hr of circuits, by then you should be pretty much back in the grove.
I sent my 300th 1st solo yesterday, he had 17.8 hrs and is a full time cadet, flying every 2nd day. So don't feel too bad.
OG3
4500 hrs dual given
Australia