Instagram story viewer> @bedboundbotany> Posts

Conor Hope

@bedboundbotany

865

followers

1034

following

Plant Enthusiast 🇬🇧🌿
In recovery from severe M.E./C.F.S and Fibromyalgia 🛏➡️👨‍🦽➡️🚶‍♂️
bio grad 🌱🌿🌳

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

A walk to try and see the newly introduced wild Bison in Blean Woods. The walk took us waaaay further than we had expected and I ended up walking around 6km which is substantially more than I have done for a long time.

We didn't see any Bison unfortunately, but still had a great time. The pain has flared up in response to the extra activity, but I plan to stabilise my activity and let it settle before introducing anything new.

Thanks for the lift and company @tristian_herbert

#bleanwoods #bisonproject #mecfs #mecfsrecovery #naturelovers taken in Blean Woods Nature Reserve by @bedboundbotany

70

1

8 months ago

A Wild Micro-Adventure in the Forest 🌿🌱 Although everything still feels rough, I wanted to escape just for a night from the normal routine. Often, with the illness, you're forced to adopt a steady, consistent routine in order to avoid crashes and flare-ups. However, life is flying by, and the Summer is pushing on, and it feels like it's slipping from my grasp. So, with a bit of help from family, I made it into the woods for a night of forest camping. Little Adventures like this just help me remember who I actually am beneath the constraints of illness. It took a lot out of me, but I think I can stabilise with a bit of time.

#wildcamping #cfs #cfsme #fibromyalgia #forest by @bedboundbotany

107

24

a year ago

Writing a song reflecting my journey with M.E/C.F.S & Fibromyalgia. It's called Fade, and describes how so many of us feel like we are trapped in a broken body, even though our minds remain the same. It feels like our true selves are repressed by a body that doesn't do what we want and need. Even though our heart and soul are still fighting, we fade into the unseen, into insignificance. These conditions are just not seen, not researched enough, and our voices get lost.

Things have been really rough the last year, but I'm trying hard to hold onto my level of functioning. Sending lots of strength and support to everyone else out there who is battling these illnesses. 💪🌌🌿🙌

BTW apologies for the scruffy beard, I'm hoping the patches fill in! 😅

#cfs #cfsme #chronicfatiguesyndrome #fibromyalgia #piano #mecfsawareness #songwriting #originalmusic by @bedboundbotany

114

44

2 years ago

I find that when I'm feeling worried and hopeless about the situation I'm in, it can help to express this through singing and playing music that resonates with those feelings.

Unfortunately I've been in a state of decline over the last 7-8 months; just when I thought I was ready to step back into the world, maybe start working and even getting a flat of my own.

I think maybe I slightly overdone it with my activity and stress. I had been doing a horticulture course, with exams, as well as pushing myself at the gym, and doing a few hours of quite intense manual work a week, and increasing my walks to around 2km.

Right now I'm struggling to hold on to even the basic activities like walking around the house, washing and preparing food. I thought after a few months of relaxing and being free of any obligations (I finished the course, and stopped the manual work), that my body would begin to bounce back. However, I've been stuck in this state of deep exhaustion and increased pain.

It's beyond devastating, after making so much progress after years and years of excruciating hard work, that it is slipping through my fingers, and I feel powerless to stop it.

I am trying to implement everything I've learned over the years, as well as beginning counselling therapy again. I'm just hoping that with time, I can stabilise, and start moving back towards a healthier future again. 🌿

#cfs #cfsme #chronicfatiguesyndrome #mecfsawareness #fibromyalgia #chronicillness #recovery #chronicpain #piano #billieeilish by @bedboundbotany

144

45

2 years ago

My journey battling and recovering from severe M.E/C.F.S & Fibromyalgia.

It's been 5 years now since my lowest point with this illness. A point at which I was almost entirely incapable of moving, and often couldn't even feed myself. I had thought about giving up, as I was trapped, and in constant pain. My friends and family are the only reason I kept going.

Through doctors, physios, psychotherapy, lots of medicine, 6 months at Leeds NICPM, and a determination to get through and increase movement slowly day by day, I've managed to come so so far, and now my life is so much richer.

I am still on the road to recovery, and have a way to go, but it is almost inconceivable how different my life is today compared to 5 years ago. 🌿

#mecfs
#merecovery #meawareness #fibromyalgia #recovery #chronicillness #chronicfatiguesyndrome #chronicpain #cfsme #cfs #recoveryjourney # by @bedboundbotany

208

68

3 years ago

Hey everyone, I was grateful to be offered a chance to talk through my journey with M.E/C.F.S & Fibromyalgia with @micthemike.fm on his awesome Podcast MicTheMike, which explores people's experiences with their physical and mental health.

If you want to have a listen then see the link in his bio, or copy the link below to Spotify.

Thanks again Michael for the opportunity!

🌿

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7k7wDON66PL4YFl1fUWHYe?si=gpOM3qrXRsCbxiwSwHFZag

@micthemike.fm

#cfs #mecfs #chronicillness #chronicpain #fibromyalgia #recovery #podcast #chronicfatiguesyndrome #recoveryjourney #health by @bedboundbotany

34

6

3 years ago

Starting archery! 🌿🎯

I've always wanted to try archery, and now I'm making a bit of progress with my recovery from severe M.E/C.F.S and Fibromyalgia, I thought I'd join a local club.

It's still very early days, and there's a lot to learn, but I'm grateful to be able to try news thing like this now.

As always, the symptoms are always in the background, sometimes more intense, and sometimes not quite as much.

I think I've said to many people, that distraction, and engaging with hobbies/interests, and the outside world, has been pivotal for my recovery.

Because the more I can get my mind focused elsewhere, the less I'm consciously preoccupied with my pain and fatigue.

There's always a difficult balancing act however, because you do still need to listen to your body, so as not to overdo things, but at the same time, you need to disengage with the symptoms to some degree.

It's a tough one to crack, and tougher to explain.

Anyway for now, archery is another distraction which keeps my mind in a better place.

That being said, I'm not very good at it (the last pic was defo a fluke!) 😅

Wishing everyone well! 🌿🌱🌊🌧

#cfs #cfsme #mecfs #meawareness
#fibromyalgia #ME #recovery
#chronicillness #chronicpainawareness
#chronicpain #chronicfatiguesyndrome
#nicpm by @bedboundbotany

169

31

3 years ago

I've started volunteering at Walmer Castle Gardens in Deal! 🌿🌱

This is another big step in my recovery from severe M.E/C.F.S and Fibromyalgia.

It is only going to be an hour or so each week to start, but then I'm hoping to be able to increase this over time; getting my body and nervous system used to being out in the world again.

As always, I want people to understand both sides of the story when it comes to my recovery. I am making great physical progress, but it doesn't mean the pain and fatigue have disappeared. In fact many of the steps forward in my activity levels come with a flare up in symptoms that can last weeks.

The positive aspect now, is that because I'm able to do so much more, I am better able to manage my pain, as I can distract myself with hobbies and voluntary work.

So, recovery is always a balancing act; increasing activity, but gently enough not to make the symptoms too bad that I'm unable to cope with them.

For now though, I'm grateful for the opportunity to help out, and learn so much through this voluntary work. A massive thanks to Philip @mr.plantaholic
for giving me the opportunity to volunteer at this amazing place.

Wishing everyone well.
Conor
🌿🌱🍃

#meawareness #cfs #mecfs #fibromyalgia #recovery #gardening #plants #walmercastle by @bedboundbotany

202

39

3 years ago

Lots of changes 🌿

Despite having a really bad cold, which made my normal pain symptoms flare up, I've been making slow but steady progress.

I have bought my first vehicle, a VW t25 campervan, which will help me get about, and also serve as a long term project. I am hoping to be able to use it to live in for a few days at a time in the near future, so that I can get back into education down the line, where commuting every day wouldn't be a practical solution.

I also visited Kew gardens for the first time, and had a lovely Christmas with my family, seeing a light show at Walmer Castle.

Last Christmas I was in a wheelchair in hospital, and now I am driving a little (apologies road users, as I'm terrible at it!), as well as being able to make short trips and visits elsewhere.

As always, I have to say that things are still up and down in terms of my pain and fatigue, and there is still a long way to go, as some days are still challenging. However, I'm feeling hopeful for the future and ready to take on some new challenges.

I hope everyone else is doing OK. Happy new year, and let 2023 bring healing and happiness 😊🙌🌿🌱

#mecfs #recovery #chronicfatiguesyndrome #fibromyalgia #chronicpain #kewgardens by @bedboundbotany

185

39

4 years ago

If someone told me a year ago, that by now I'd not only be free of the wheelchair, but also running on the beach with our new rescue pup, I just wouldn't have believed them.

I have had so many wonderful experiences in the last couple of months, and I am extremely grateful for them.

I am still in recovery, and have days when the pain/fatigue is intense, but those days are fewer and farther between.

Our rescue dog Izzie is also starting her journey, from being abandoned in Bulgaria, to finding her home here with us.

#recovery #mecfs #fibromyalgia #cfsme #cfs #chronicillness #ME by @bedboundbotany

171

46

4 years ago

So so grateful to be LIVING again. I might still be in pain. I might still be limited. However, I can experience life more fully, and after the last 8 years or so of struggle and illness, I am breathing it all in, with so much gratitude.

Keep going.
🌿🙌🌱💪

#chronicillness #mecfs #allotmentuk #gardening #fibromyalgia #recovery by @bedboundbotany

160

38

4 years ago

My first terrarium 🌿🌱🍃🌊

Just trying to keep busy whilst the pain has really flared up from returning home. Hopefully my body will adjust soon, and it will ease.

My afternoon project was building this little terrarium, with moss, nephrolepis fern, fittonia nerve plant, and a ficus microcarpa "ginseng" with its roots teased over moss covered black rock.

I'm pretty happy with it
🌿🌱🙌

#terrarium
#houseplants
#mecfs #fibromyalgia #recovery #plants #jungle by @bedboundbotany

180

26

4 years ago