Confused re synching

[wildglio]

I am running the latest version of LR Classic CC on my desktop and a few days ago I downloaded some photos into LR from my camera. I created two collections within Classic - no problem. I have just reloaded LR Classic CC and the collections have disappeared as have all the photos I had downloaded from my camera. I then logged into my Adobe Lightroom cloud drive and all the photos I had taken off my camera are there! What is happening? I am totally confused as to how this is or should be working.

[dj_paige]

"I have just reloaded LR Classic CC"

I don't know what "reloaded" means. Could you please explain? What are the exact steps you follow?

[wildglio]

I exited the program completely and re-launched it.

[JP Hess]

When you relaunched Lightroom Classic, did you open the same catalog that you used previously, a few days ago?