A Quiet Season in My Life: My Healing Journey with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Hi everyone,

I have been very quiet recently, and I want to gently share what has been happening in my life.

My health condition

Over the past months, I have been navigating a challenging health journey. I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a condition that brings daily pain, stiffness, and swelling. Some days it affects my ability to walk, sit, and even sleep properly. It has impacted my mobility, flexibility, and overall quality of life in ways I never expected.

Since around last December, I began feeling the pain gradually, but I did not fully understand what was happening in my body at that time. The waiting period for a rheumatologist appointment in Perth has been long, with my appointment scheduled for June 2026. During this time, I often felt lost, uncertain, and overwhelmed while trying to manage increasing discomfort.

At one point, the pain became too difficult to cope with, and I went to Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency department seeking help. Eventually, I decided to return to my home country to see a rheumatologist earlier. That visit confirmed my condition and helped me move forward with a clearer treatment path. It also allowed me to bring forward my care here in Perth.

After seeing the rheumatologist at home, I also allowed myself a short holiday trip to Taiwan. It was a conscious decision to unwind my mind, slow down, and give myself space to breathe again. In the middle of medical concerns and physical pain, I needed a moment just to feel human again, told myself to rest, to see new surroundings, and to gently reconnect with myself beyond illness.

 Self-healing: I place my Tibetan singing bowl on my knee.

Recovery road

Right now, I am slowly recovering, but I am still learning to avoid overexertion. I am learning to listen to my body in a completely new and deeper way. Alongside medical care, I have also been gently supporting myself through my sound healing practice.

There are moments when I place my Tibetan singing bowl on my knee during my own healing sessions. I let the sound vibrations resonate through my body, and I hold the intention that this gentle resonance may support relaxation and ease within me, especially around areas of tension and inflammation. It is a very personal practice for me, a moment of stillness, presence, and connection with my body.

Sound healing my soul

At the same time, I want to be very clear and grounded: medical treatment remains my priority. I fully respect and rely on my doctors and medical care for managing this condition. Sound healing, for me, is a complementary practice that supports my emotional wellbeing and helps me stay calm and resilient through this journey. Sound healing helps me stay anchored. It supports my mental health, brings me emotional balance, and gently guides me back to positivity and hope

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This journey has not been easy. But it has taught me to slow down, to listen, and to allow healing to unfold in its own time. If you are still here reading this, thank you for holding space for me.

I am still healing. I am still becoming.

With love,

Michelle Lee