A/N: Huh, so this story DID find a way to extend itself!


The Personal Blog of John H. Watson

On The Ground

Day One:

On the ground in Japan. Devastation heartbreaking. Task overwhelming. UK Search and Rescue joining with US and Chinese teams. Chinese SAR team-member said "...give yourself a reachable goal for the day, for the hour, and focus only on reaching that goal..." Am being moved west past damage to perform triage.

Hospital filled to overflowing, but eerily calm. Japanese people incredibly patient, calm and stoic. British stiff upperlip? Japanese stoicism gives a run for it's money.

Lacerations, contusions, broken bones. Rapidly picking up phrases in Japanese: "where does it hurt?" "you're safe now" "you'll be all right". Practising the 4 A's: Assure, Assess, Assign, Advance. Rinse and repeat.

Aftershocks - hundreds of them. Brace yourself, cover your patient from possible falling debris, ride it out, continue working.

Darkness falling. Temperatures falling. Eat something - don't know what. Keep working.