Kansas mother battles life-threatening complications after spider bites

Britagne Miller was bitten by several spiders while camping at Cheney Lake on May 28, prompting a painful swelling on her calf that required hospitalization four days later. The bites, which she believes were from a brown recluse spider, led to extensive swelling and severe pain in her leg.

Miller, who has two diagnosed blood-clotting disorders, a compromised liver and multiple allergies, underwent surgery in which doctors removed about 300 milliliters of blood clots and placed a drain. Post-operative complications included a staph and gram-negative infection, and doctors warned she was in end-stage liver failure with a limited life expectancy.

After weeks of intensive care, Miller was discharged on July 11 to receive at-home care while awaiting a liver transplant, contingent on improving her hemoglobin levels. She expressed determination to recover for the sake of her four children.

Dr. Raymond Cloyd, a horticultural entomologist at Kansas State University, noted that Kansas has two venomous spiders—the black widow and the more common brown recluse—and advised sealing cracks and handling stored items with gloves to reduce exposure.

Miller’s husband has lost his job while caring for the family, and the family has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover medical bills, home health care and daily necessities.