86-1
Bl.holm Jan. 1st, 1986
Dear Koki and Takako,
Thank you for your kind greetings. This year I have not managed to write the
traditional New Yearfs correspondence, for reasons you may perhaps understand
from what I have believed I have told, but maybe I have not.
Inger is at present very sick from metastases to the liver and lungs from a
rectal carcinoma removed surgically about 2 years ago. She is very emaciated,
eats almost nothing and has sometimes severe pains. Although these are
controlled by Methadian, her mind is very confused, and in the last few months I
have managed to do almost nothing, apart from functioning as nurse, cook,
errand-boy etc. etc. Although all our children and many friends have been very
kind and helpful in this situation, the main burden of care falls on me, and it
has been a very exhausting to me for months. It is impossible to know how long
it will still last. The situation is very gloomy, but I think I should inform
you about it, at the same time as sending you Ingerfs and my best wishes for a
prosperous new year, professionally as well as personally.
With all kind greeting to you both and to Yoko
From your old friends
Inger and Alf
86-2
Bl.holm. April 6th, 1986
Dear Takako and Koki,
It is some time since I wrote you, but I believe I have told you that Inger was
suffering from metastases (liver and lungs) from a rectal cancer. She has been
very ill about the last half year, got extremely emaciated and weak. The process
evolved very slowly for a long time but for a little more than a week ago she
suddenly developed severe oedema. Fortunately she did not have much pain. She
died quietly in the morning of April 3rd.
I do not feel inclined to write a long letter now, and you will, I suppose,
imagine how the situation is for me, in spite of kind and helpful children and
many good friends. I may mention again, however, what you certainly know, that
both of Inger and I are very fond of you and cherished our memories from days
when we were together with you. Please give my regards also to Yoko, who is now,
I imagine, soon grown up!
With very bet regards to you all
yours as ever,
Alf
86-3
16 April 1986
Dear Alf,
We are in the deepest grief to hear the death of our motherly Inger. Life is not
always peaceful, indeed it is often cruel. Oh! Kind and warmly-smiling Inger is
now in heaven. Birds cry, fishes in tears \ it seems to us. We lamented reading
your letter, and deeply regret that we have not been able to write encouraging
letters to Inger I these recent days, ever since we know that Inger was very
ill. Please forgive, and understand, us that we tried but could not express our
feeling in good and proper way in English sentences.
Dear Alf, I must / should say now how surprised I was upon reading your
handwriting letter, dated Sept.15, 1985, in which you disclosed me in a quiet,
calm tone that you were also suffering from prostatic cancer and received
hormone treatment. In my letter of October, I could not touch upon your
unfortunate situation. I was extremely shocked and depressed and could not think
of this as reality. I believe that Inger is at present content with her own
heavenly life surrounded by many beautiful flowers. Inger thinks herself happy
in dreaming that with her continuous assistance great achievement has been
performed by Alf and Oslo people who have received your education. Not only I,
not only Oslo people, but also neuroscientists in the world always attentively
listen to what you are thinking \ present and future aspects on Neuroanatomy and
also on Neuroscience. I wish I could be with you, listening to your talk at
Prestasen and at Oslof office.
I remember particularly with deep gratitude that Inger and you kindly invited me
to stay with you 3 days, twice (Sept.f81 and Dec. f83). Last time in the
beginning of December, when gfineh snow was sometimes falling outdoors, we
walked together, and indoors Inger talked on music and paintings, so kind not
showing apparently her unhealthy condition. I told this experience to Takako and
Yoko. We talked in the telephone soon and Takako was so delighted to speak with
Inger. I cannot recall this kind memory at your home without tears, and thank
you!!
Inger and you told me about your honorable ceremony at Oxford in June f83
congratulating you as a doctor honoris causa. And you and Per and I discussed on
some topics of Neurobiology, neural transplantation, and neuroanatomy at a
restaurant where you invited me. You also kindly wrote to me about your
experience of writing text-books of neuroanatomy (Norwegian Eds. And English
eds.) responding to my question, and also encouraged me to read Cajalfs
textbooks of Regeneration & genesis of nervous system. I thankfully feel happy
that I am privileged to hear from you.
At Okayama, we have recently moved to a new house for me, hectic period of
teaching lasts until the middle of July, and researches in our new lab are
slowly progressing. We are transplanting either cerebellar and or brainstem
tissues from embryo into adult rodent cerebellum. Results are at present modest.
Problems of plasticity or regeneration processes in the CNS are attractive and
interesting, but difficult and too complex to pursue without sensible mind and
hard effort. I consider myself now is a difficult period scientifically, since
in a sense I have almost changed the methodology. But, as you will see my
attack-object is the cerebellum and the olive to which I have been introduced by
yourself. I intend to continue the work in this field and try to elaborate and
consider the matters properly \ really I ask your warm comments \ , and want to
show you some papers, hopefully in 1986-1987.
Three of us are fine. Takako is at present busy after moving. Yoko is grown up,
fourteen years old, likes popular music, various kinds of animals and English
lesson. I sincerely hope that you keep on going your royal road of science, and
that give us please proper advices \ what to do and how to do and foresee the
prospect.
I am always thinking of how to make a chance of seeing you again.
With our very best wishes and kind regards,
From three of us
Yours as ever,
Koki
Takako, Yoko
P.S. 1. I am sorry that I use Uni. envelope, address is written on it \
unchanged.@
2. New home address:
Hirano 706-3
Okayama 701-01
Japan @@@@
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86-4
Bl.h. 25/4 ? 86
Dear Koki,
Thank you very much for your kind letter and your expressions of sympathy on the
occasion of Ingerfs death on April 3rd. I can not yet fully realize that she is
not more. She was cremated at Harlum Kremetorium in Barum on the 11th, and I
think the ceremony was as she would have wished it to be. The priest was a young
man, a friend of Per, and of us, who spoke of Inger as the kind person she was.
My brother Jon played the violin, and had transcribed part of Mozartfs piano
concerto No.21 for violin and organ. Afterwards we had a small gathering at
house with family members. There were altogether 28 people, including our 6
grandchildren, and to my astonishment we managed to have them all seated at four
tables of different sizes ? there was an abundance of flowers in the
crematorium, and many came also to me here, and to the children, in addition to
many letters of condolences. I was really overwhelmed with so many and kind
expressions of sympathy. By now I have managed to write thanks to most of them.
I do not remember if I wrote to you that Inger spent the last 5 weeks in a new
and very good Home for rich people, where she got better care than I could
manage, come with the help of a nurse mornings and evenings.
As to myself, I may mention that after my testicles were removed in the late
fall, I have not noted any subjected signs of metastases. According to my
urologist the removal of the tests often halts the development of metastases for
a considerable period. Time will show. But there are other not very favorable
conditions, some hypertension and cardiac deficiency symptoms for which I take
digitoxin. So my working capacity is markedly reduced also for physical reasons
in this emotionally difficult period. The best thing is probably to try to be
occupied with something. Realizing this, I have accepted an invitation to
lecture for the physiotherapist teachers in Bergen in the end of May.
I gather you have now almost finished the troubles with moving to Okayama, and
are able to get on with the problems which interest you. I appreciate your kind
comments of my having been your gteacherh, but the most one achieves in life,
after all, depends most of onefs own effects! As you do, I remember with great
pleasure the nice times we have spent with you Takako and Yoko in former days,
and we have always counted you all among our best friends.
With my best wishes to the three of you,
Yours as ever,
Alf
86-5
21 / June f86
Dear Alf,
Please excuse me the delay of my letter. I was happy to have a small talk with
you in the telephone some days ago.
Although the time of visiting Leningrad is not finally fixed, I have not yet
received the final schedule from the USSR Academy. I am planning to leave
Leningrad for Oslo on the 28th (Sunday) or 29th (Monday) of coming September and
would like to see you again, staying Oslo 2-3 days. I ask you if it would be
convenient for you \ I am eager to see you. Also, it is possible / Ifm happy /
to give a talk in the institute on our recent study.
As initially wanted, I could not find time to visit you earlier. I sincerely
hope that you keep your condition healthy and that enjoy your summer holidays in
Tuddal!?)
With my kind and warm wishes, also from Takako, Yoko.
Yours as ever,
Koki
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86-6
Oslo, July 7, 1986
Professor Koki Kawamura, M.D.
Department of Anatomy
Okayama University Medical School
Okayama 700
JAPAN
Dear Koki,
Thank you for your letter of June 21. I am happy that I may expect to see you
here in the early fall. I have no personal engagements on the 28th or 29th of
September, and any of these days would suit me. As I believe I mentioned
previously, it would be nice if you would stay in our house, although the food
will not be as perfect as when Inger took care of it. I suppose you will let me
know later the time of your arrival (flight number etc.).
It would be fine if you would give an informal presentation of your recent work
in the department. Usually we have seminars on Fridays, but any day will be
possible.
As to my condition I try to be engaged in matters, in part practical, in part
professional, in addition to seeing children and friends, preparing food etc.
etc.
I look forward to seeing you in Oslo. Please give my best regards to Takako and
Yoko.
Yours, as ever,
Alf
A. Brodal
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86-7
2 August 1986
Dear Alf,
Thank you very much for your kind letter of July 7. I should have written a
letter earlier with my delight and thanks, but it took some time before I got my
schedule on my stay in Leningrad, accordingly the date of leave for Oslo. It has
turned out that I leave Leningrad 14:00 of 26th (Friday) of September and arrive
at Oslo airport 15:20 (local time), by SU-635. I will leave Oslo 29th (Monday)
in the afternoon (time is not yet clear) for London, and then to Japan. I am
extremely happy and delighted with your kind invitation to your home. Thank
you!! Itfs beyond my words to express my gratitude for all your kindness. Treat
and think of me, please, as your oriental son who can help you in some ways
during the stay. I dream again the happy precious time being privileged to spend
with you.
I apologize, however, that the visiting days have been changed from those I
previously planned (from 28th on ~ cf. or written in my letter of June 21st).
Therefore, n case any of the days happen to be engaged with you, I would ask you
to put me, for example, to the guest-room of the institute.
Yoko has no school at present. Takako works one in a week in a private hospital,
she wants to increase working days from the fall. We went to Kyoto and Nara (our
two previous capitals) last week for seeing gardens and temples and the zoo
where Yoko enjoyed very much. If you have interest in the history of Buddhism in
Japan, I am willing to give a short talk in the evening.
Looking very much forward to seeing you again.
Best wishes from three of us.
Yours, as ever,
Koki
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86-8
Bl.h. Aug.11, 1986
Dear Koki,
Thank you for your letter of Aug.2nd, with the dates for your arrival! Although
I do not think I will meet you there myself, I believe either Per or Fred will
be at the airport. Fornebu is at present a hopeless mess with regard to parking
the car if one is to meet someone, but I believe the young man will manage. In
case none of them should have turned up, I suggest you take a taxi to Prestasen
14, Blomenholm, but take a taxi from Barum where drivers know (or ought at least
to know), the roads here. The taxis from Barum have numbers on the roof
beginning with C (C123 etc), those from Oslo with A (A127 etc).
The time for your stay here fits me very well (arrival Frid. 15:20, SU635,
departure on Monday) but as you may know, most Norwegians keep Saturday (+
Sunday) as a holiday, which means that there will not be many people at the
Institute on Saturday. (On Friday most people leave at about 4 ofclock.) The
only time for a talk at the institute would be on Monday September 24th,
provided that your plane does not leave until the afternoon.
Dear Koki, I am really looking forward to seeing you again. I am sure we will
manage the practical problems, although of course not as well as Inger did. I
have acquired certain practice in managing house and cooking etc. the last half
year, and feel that I manage fairly well.
In the last time I have spent some time at the cottage in Tuddal, lately one
week with Anne Brit and Per and hour children, 12-15 years. A rather lively
company, but all went well.
I suggest that we do not fix any particular plans for your stay here, which you
should consider as a short holiday. Some time before you will arrive I have
planned to take part in a 2-week tour to Yugoslavia. I try to be occupied with
something, but there has been very little research recently.
Please give my very best regards to Takako and Yoko.
Yours as ever,
@ Alf@@
@
86-9
Professor emeritus Alf Brodal
Anatomical Inst.
University of Oslo
Oslo
Aug. 16, 1986
Dear Alf,
Thank you for your kind letter of August 11th. I am exciting to think of
visiting and spending time with you again. Thank you again! Takako envies me
very much, because Takako cannot travel because of Yokofs school schedule. We
very, very often speak of Inger and you who have been always so kind to us.
Upon contact with travel bureau, after reading your letter, I changed the flight
as: leave Oslo 30th (Tuesday) of Sept. at 11:10 (BA 643 for London).
Thank you for giving me a chance to have a talk on gNeural transplantation into
cerebellumh.
I can manage to take a taxi on 26th. Sorry, Ifll stop here. Ifll write a letter
to Fred next Monday.
Yours as ever,
Koki
@
86-10
22 / Oct. f86
Dear Alf,
I returned home as scheduled but have been occupied with some hectic business at
Okayama, Tokyo which prevented me from taking peaceful time. Photo-pictures are
not ready to send; I will enclose them in the next mail.
Again and again, I am very grateful to you for giving me the chance to live
together at your home for 5 days. The beautiful bronze sculpture of mother and
her boy gave Takako extreme delight. We put it on a desk of our living room. The
ties also suit me. Thank you very much! I believe we have talked more than
words.
I would ask you to give our best regards and thanks to Inger -Helene & Vodvar
and Per and their family. (Sorry, I have not their address in my note-book.)
See you again, my dear father Alf!
Yours as ever,
Koki & Takako, Yoko
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86-11
Bl.holm 20/11-86
Dear Koki,
Thank you as much for your kind letter of Oct.22. I should have answered before,
but my activity is very low at present, even if I am trying to resume my work on
the enigmatic group. Quite recently my back has begun to trouble me more than I
like, but fortunately we have had a nice autumn so far. The first modest snow
fell today! On Ingerfs 75 birthday.
It was indeed nice to have you here, Koki, and we had many good times together.
My grandsons were all impressed by the fine gWalkmanh you gave me, and I wonder
who of them shall inherit it?
I realize you are busy, and that is good, if it is not too much! The older one
grows, the more one (I at least) asks oneself whether one has not used too much
of onefs life in professional activities, to the neglect of the gsoft valuesh.
But then it is of course too late to repair it.
As you may know I have got a tenant in the attic. He is a very fine student, and
is very willing to give me a hand when there are more demanding (physical)
problems that I can not manage. We often also sit down for coffee and have a
talk together.
As you may remember, Fred passed his 65th birthday on Oct. 25, with unveiling of
portrait, (that not many of us liked) and a reception in the Institute that was
very nicely arranged. As to my own activities, I may mention that on the 13 this
month I gave a lecture (for about two hours) to the physiotherapist at Uleval
Hospital, and as far as I can judge it was very well received. But I believe it
will be the last lecture delivered by the old emeritus.
I send my very best wishes to you and to Takako and Yoko.
As always
Yours
Alf
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86-12
2 Dec. 1986
Dear Alf,
Thank you for your kind letter of November 20th. Very very often I use the tie
you gave me, feeling with you and the bronze statue put on our living-room table
produce amiable atmosphere speaking with you and Inger.
I am enclosing some pictures, among which one is for Per and other one for
Nenne-Inger. Although automatic camera cannot make good tint in printing, I hope
you like them.
Thank you so much for your kind advice on a balance of professional activities
and gsoft valueh in life. Takako did agree and urged me to consider.
We realize that physiotherapist at Uleval Hospital received the best lecture in
the world. I agree itfs wise to deliver lectures, once or twice a year.
We have finished writing the manuscript of transplantation (migration of donor
granule and Purkinge cells in mature cerebellum) and have just sent to
Neuroscience (Dr. Smith, Oxford).
We worry about the trouble on the back, please take the best care!!
Yours as ever,
Koki, Takako, Yoko
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86-13
Dec 11, 1986
Dear Koki,
Thank for your last kind letter and the enclosed photos which were very nice,
indeed and will remind me of the nice days we spent together.
I may tell you that for some three weeks I have now been free from my back pain
which has troubled me for 3/4 of a year. As I mentioned to you, I suppose they
were due to metastases to the pelvis and vertebra. Recently they got rather
worse, and my doctor put me on Prednisone, and out of corticosteroid. It does
not stop the growth, but to be without pain markedly and well increases onefs
working capacity. How long this will last, is, of course, impossible to know.
I am about to start my annual sending of Christmas greetings, and end by sending
you, Takako and Yoko my very best wishes for the New Year.
Yours as ever,
Alf
I have greetings to you from my children, who take very well care of me indeed.
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