e-emailed letter received on 12/26/2020 addressed to his brother Barnett:
Your brother, Alan
Dear Barnett,
While cleaning out paperwork and old files this evening, I came across a letter from January 1992 that Dr. Silverstein sent to his Pittsburgh patients announcing his move to New Martinsville, WV. Saddened by the news, I saved the letter because he meant so much to me. And tonight, I stumbled across that letter.
You see, on August 3, 1989, at age 29, I went into premature labor at 24 weeks during my first pregnancy. Something was terribly wrong, but I was inexperienced and really didn't understand the seriousness of the situation. At Magee Hospital, your brother, Alan cared for me with a gentle kindness that I have never forgotten. He was calm and reassuring and told me the baby needed to come out of me early. I remember hearing him tell a nurse that my temperature was "40 something" Celsius. Little did I know my life was in danger. Dr. Silverstein took control and quickly rushed me into delivery, calmly directing others and encouraging me through every moment of the delivery.
Sadly, I delivered a perfect, beautiful stillborn baby girl. I could see the regret and pain on Dr. Silverstein's face when he handed my daughter to me. He was compassionate and considerate and allowed my husband and me to grieve with her in my arms for as long as we wanted. He was a caring, kind, decent man and I can't imagine going through that tragedy without him. He later told me he knew the baby had died before I delivered and I was grateful that he didn't tell me.
After I physically recovered, I visited his office and Esther thoughtfully put me in a private room so I wouldn't have to wait with the expectant mothers. Dr Silverstein patiently and compassionately answered pages of questions I had written down. He told me I was infected with both Group B Strep and Staph.
Fast forward to the next year when I became pregnant again. He cared for me like I was royalty. He knew I was still struggling emotionally and literally scared out of my mind, but he reassured me every step of the way. He cultured me regularly and put me on antibiotics before and during delivery. Then on Dec 31, during a weekly exam, he asked me if I wanted the baby today or tomorrow. I said "today" and he sent me to St. Clair Hospital, which was short staffed because of the holiday. The anesthesiologist was in surgery, so Dr. Silverstein himself injected me with a pain killer in my back because there was nobody to administer an epidural. One hour later, Jimmy was born at 8 lbs. 3 oz. I sobbed uncontrollably with sadness and gratitude. Your brother was keen to my emotions and approached me as I held my baby on my chest and with the utmost respect and compassion, he told me I needed to think about "this baby."
I have thought about Dr. Silverstein many times over the years remembering the special part he played in my life and hoped that somewhere he found the peace and happiness he deserved. After some googling, I learned this evening from your post that you tragically lost Alan four years ago in Bonaire. I am very saddened and send you my sympathies. Your beautiful tribute to a wonderful man, doctor and brother is very fitting.
I am Greek Orthodox and have many Jewish friends. We joke about our similarities and share a deep respect for one another. In my religion after the loss of a loved one, we say Memory Eternal. And I am certain Dr. Alan Silverstein's memory will truly live on.
Thank you for allowing me the honor to tell you my story about Alan.
Sincerely,
Sofia Janis
