Hey there! Hopefully you're past the self-doubt at this point. This process is just that - a process. I am almost 6 months out, and there are days where the knee just doesn't feel good, but I keep reminding myself that even my worst days post TKR are much MUCH better than how I was before the procedure. The swelling takes a lot longer to go away than I had imagined, but it does go away (mine was gone at about the 5 month mark). Going down stairs is still a challenge at times, especially first thing in the morning, but I feel like I am walking normally when I go on my walks now. You will get there (we all will), and it is pain with a purpose!