When Aloha Meets Goodbye - Sandie’s Story

In this deeply moving episode, Heather sits down with Sandie, a quiet yet powerful voice in the world of caregiving and grief. Sandie shares the intimate story of her late partner Brian—a man full of light, love, and what Heather calls the “Aloha Spirit.” Together, they explore what it means to love someone through chronic illness, to watch them slowly disappear due to autoimmune encephalitis, and to eventually find healing on the other side of unimaginable loss.

From teenage friends to heartbreaking goodbyes, this episode travels through the beauty of connection, the weight of caregiving during COVID, and the raw resilience it takes to survive—and smile—after loss.

Topics include:

• Autoimmune encephalitis & brain inflammation

• Caregiving, long-term illness, and grief

• Motherhood through trauma

• The power of friendship and chosen family

• How love continues after death

Sandie’s courage to speak her truth is a gift for anyone navigating grief, loss, or chronic illness in a loved one. Her words are a reminder that even when we say goodbye, some love stories never really end.

Listen now on your favorite platform and visit changehappenedpodcast.com for more.

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Resources Mentioned:

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  Learn more about Autoimmune Encephalitis

  
  


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  Support and tools via AE Alliance

  
  


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  For grief resources: whatsyourgrief.com

  
  

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