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 @@@@
@


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
@


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
@


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
@


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
@


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
@


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
@


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.


@