Kansas mother recovers after hospitalization linked to suspected spider bite

Britagne Miller, a mother of four from Goddard, Kansas, was hospitalized after a bite she believes came from spiders while camped at Cheney Lake on May 28. Four days later the bite on her calf swelled and became painful, prompting her to seek medical care. Miller was admitted to Wesley Hospital in Wichita on June 4 and underwent surgery. Her treatment was complicated by pre-existing blood-clotting disorders, liver disease and medication allergies, and she later developed infections. Doctors also diagnosed end-stage liver failure and warned that the condition could be fatal. Miller chose to continue treatment rather than enter hospice care and was discharged on July 11. She now receives home health care, physical therapy and specialist visits, and hopes to become eligible for a liver transplant. Doctors have not identified the spider species; a Kansas State University entomologist noted that brown recluse and black widow spiders are the venomous types most commonly found in the state and advised sealing cracks and inspecting stored items. The family has launched a GoFundMe to assist with medical expenses.