Kansas mother seeks liver transplant after suspected brown recluse bite

Britagne Miller, a Kansas mother, was bitten by a suspected brown recluse spider on May 28 while sitting by a campfire at Cheney Lake. Four days later she was hospitalized for a swollen calf bruise, and doctors removed nearly 300 milliliters of blood clots and placed a drain to treat the wound. Miller, who has pre-existing blood-clotting disorders, a compromised liver and several allergies, later developed staph and gram-negative infections. Physicians warned she was in end-stage liver failure and might have only days to a month to live. She was discharged on July 11 and is now recuperating at home while pursuing eligibility for a liver transplant.

Raymond Cloyd, a horticultural entomologist at Kansas State University, said Kansas is home to two venomous spiders—the black-widow and the more common brown recluse, which is prevalent throughout the Midwest and central Kansas. He noted that avoiding boxes, shoes and other items that have been stored undisturbed, and sealing cracks and crevices, can reduce the risk of spider encounters.

Miller’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover hospital bills, ongoing medical costs and daily necessities. Her husband has been unable to work regularly while caring for her and their children.

"It was like shooting down my leg into my foot, and it felt like it was being stabbed," Miller told the local station.

"If you have boxes that have been sitting there cold, you want to wear gloves. Shake shoes or even wash them before you end up wearing them because those are areas where brown recluse and black widow are more likely to reside," Cloyd said.

"I was like, I give up. I'm done being cut open. I'm done being poked and prodded. I'm done hurting. Then I thought about all of them," Miller recalled.