I've been unable or maybe unwilling to reply to this post. I felt in replying I was giving up hope for her safe recovery. I spent all day yesterday reading the posts here and watching for updates to the point of obsession.
You see Lynne is one of the main reasons I'm still diving the frigid waters of Puget Sound. Bob (Grateful Diver) asked her to buddy with me when I was having some pretty serious anxiety issues.
I first met Lynne and Peter shortly after my OW class 2.5 years ago. My hubby Coll (kneedeep) asked her if she'd be willing to let me try on some of her gear. In what I now know today as typical Lynne style she said of course - come over any time. So there I am, this brand new diver in the home of strangers trying on all kinds of drysuits, fins, etc. The amount of gear that have in their basement could be enough to open up shop but they both freely lend it out. After trying on several items we went upstairs and I heard about GUE and DIR for the first time. She and Peter were bantering back and forth about it - very funny to watch!
So off I went to order my new drysuit. After about 45 dives I started having anxiety issues after doing a very silly newbie mistake while in the process of taking AOW from Bob. We had a break in the class due to travel schedules and our mid water nav dive was coming up. I decided it was a good idea to practice that skill at 100fsw. Well imagine being pretty new, zero nav skills, mid water no bottom visible at 100 feet! Needless to say I had a panic issue and close to bolted to the surface. I bet you all can imagine what my instructor told me when he returned!! Janney - we NEVER practice a new skill in deep water. We practice those in 20 feet or less!! Ok hand slap accepted, won't happen again.
However from that dive on for several months - actually still ongoing - I suffered a lot of anxiety during dives. Lynne was kind enough to take me on as a buddy without reserve. We met for coffee first so she could understand my issues and we dove through them. I spent time in their pool, hours underwater just hoping to get back to - diving is FUN not work. Well I'm finally getting there but if someone as gentle, skilled, patient as Lynne haden't been there for me I would have given up a sport I love. She also into'd me to other great divers like Kirk to hold my hand when she couldn't dive with me. GOD bless you Lynne! You were my shining dive beacon when I could not see the light. I will always be grateful for your kind guidance given so freely.
Peter thank you for sharing her with me. It was the magic I needed to keep diving. I'll always be grateful to you and I'll cherish my memories with her.
Janney
