iCloud drive upload hangs

Try going to System Preferences/Apple ID and stop iCloud syncing by unchecking the box. Wait a couple of minutes, then check syncing. Allow time for the sync to complete.

Last resort  - have you tried signing out of iCloud and then sign back in? Sign out at the bottom of the Apple ID preference. There should be a sign out button.

I would got to iCloud.com to sign out. I don't blame you for being nervous. Be sure that everything you want is on you Mac and back it all up to another folder or folders not using the word document or desktop. Also, I would back the items up to an external drive for extra safety.

He means here. That's one of the things I was talking about. But, whatever, I'd make the backups I mentioned before doing anything else.

Are the items a large quantity of photos. That sometimes can take from "forever" to never.

You can try turning syncing off and on. And, you can try signing out and back into iCloud.

Did you try turning syncing off and signing out and back into iCloud.