Finnish virtuoso is fighting for his life

The Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto has posted this message about his brother Kaakko, also a violinist, who is desperately ill:

Friends, all people dear to Jaakko –
Jaakko’s illness, the unfair and bastardly adversary known as a brain tumor, has progressed.
Jaakko has begun a long hospitalisation yesterday.
Jaakko will now have to let go of his work as well as his duties as a public servant. Uttering that sentence is excruciatingly difficult, and like so many things related to Jaakko’s illness, is only possible to process in small portions, very slowly.
His artistic work is managed by Tiina Vihtkari and Pia Raitala, and these extraordinary ladies will now contact everyone with whom Senator Kuusisto was planning to work.
(I’m calling him Senator as he is in fact a member of the city government in Oulu, Finland!)
In matters related to our company Tactus Oy, for instance related to rental materials, please contact Maija Kuusisto.
Jaakko’s path as a brain tumor patient has been lit by lucky stars in the sense that the physical symptoms that often accompany this illness have been absent. He has met his diagnosis by listening solely to experts, and working in the service of music with all the dedication he is recognised for.
Jaakko has also been surrounded by a love of the greatest kind, and in that love, during these dark days, even the disgraceful brain tumor meets its victor. Love truly reigns.
During the last two weeks, there has been a change in Jaakko’s condition. His short-term memory has all but vanished, and his long-term memories have combined into a wondrous tapestry of experiences, which now forms Jaakko’s picture of the world. Jaakko is not constantly fixed to our reality in a way that would break that picture.
No-one knows what’s next, and when, but at the moment, Jaakko’s life looks mostly like this:
This peerless man lives a festive life constructed of his dearest and most beautiful memories; a life full of friends and loved ones, chamber music festivals, suites at spa hotels, voyages on the sea, glamorous orchestral projects, political discourse, fancy desserts and beverages, painting the town red.
Jaakko’s doctors have recommended that he not use a phone or the internet, but all messages, for instance ones written below here, will be delivered to him and certainly met with joy. Due to covid restrictions, visitors outside of immediate family member are not allowed.
Jaakko’s tradition has been to thank the Oulu University Hospital staff for treatment exemplary in all respects, and we will now continue that tradition.
Embrace your loved ones!

Picture from lake Saimaa, August 2021