A Kansas mother of four is recovering at home after a suspected spider bite led to surgery, significant infections, and a weeks-long hospital stay.
Britagne Miller, of Goddard, reported that she was near a campfire with her family on May 28 when several spiders crawled on her and may have bitten her. Four days later, the area around a bite on her calf became swollen and painful, prompting her to seek medical attention. She described the sensation as a "fire that's metal" and "like it was being stabbed."
Miller was admitted to Wesley Hospital in Wichita on June 4, where she underwent surgery. Her treatment was complicated by pre-existing conditions, including blood-clotting disorders, liver problems, and allergies to certain medications. She later developed infections, and doctors determined she was suffering from end-stage liver failure, warning her family that her condition could be fatal.
Miller, who opted to continue treatment over hospice care, has limited memories of her time in intensive care. She was released from the hospital on July 11 and is now receiving home health care, physical therapy, and regular visits with specialists as she continues her recovery.
Doctors have not definitively identified the type of spider that may have bitten her. According to a horticultural entomologist at Kansas State University, common venomous spiders found in Kansas include the brown recluse and the black widow. He advised sealing cracks and exercising caution with items in undisturbed areas like boxes and shoes.
Miller hopes to receive a liver transplant but is not yet eligible to be placed on the transplant list. A GoFundMe created by her husband, Jake Miller, states, "We know there is still a long road ahead, but we are holding on to hope that one day this season will be behind us, and she will be able to continue doing what she loves most — being a mom, and someday a grandmother."