Support Shane Miller

My medical journey has been long, complicated, and filled with both hardship and grace. In 2014, at the age of 19, I underwent open abdominal surgery to create an “s‑pouch” from my small intestine after having my entire large intestine removed. Complications followed, and I became septic, leading to two additional major surgeries in 2015 and 2016. My fourth open abdominal surgery took place in September 2016, when I made the decision to remove the s‑pouch entirely. That choice dramatically improved my quality of life—but it also revealed a large wound beneath my tailbone that has never fully healed.

In 2019, I had a wound debridement, but during the procedure my small bowel was accidentally nicked, creating a fistula that required urgent repair. In 2021, my wife and I decided to have my colorectal surgeon and a plastic surgeon work together to move an abdominal muscle into the wound area. That surgery brought about 80% healing, which felt like a huge step forward. Then, in August of last year, I underwent my seventh open abdominal surgery, this time using a thigh muscle in hopes of closing the wound completely. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the wound remains 1–3 cm deep. For the past ten years, I have had to pack this wound every single day—often multiple times a day.

Through all of this, God has been incredibly faithful. Time and time again, I’ve watched Him rebuild my body and carry my family through seasons that felt impossible. This most recent surgery, however, was the hardest recovery I’ve ever faced. My wife and I now have a nearly one‑year‑old son, and shortly after surgery my intestines “fell asleep” for almost three weeks. I needed a stomach drain and IV nutrition through a PICC line, and it took nearly three months before my intestines began functioning normally again. I don’t want to put my family through another ordeal like that. My wife shouldn’t have to shoulder life as a temporary single parent, and my son shouldn’t have memories of his dad being so sick.

At this point, surgery no longer seems like a viable or safe option. Instead of traveling across the country searching for specialized treatments, we began looking closer to home and found Sara’s Garden for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). HBOT increases oxygen levels throughout the wound area. Both locally and throughout the body, it enhances immune function and helps new capillaries to form. Improved circulation, in turn, helps much-needed blood flow to reach damaged and infected areas. HBOT also decreases inflammation and swelling, increases energy, and increases the body’s white blood cell activity, boosting the immune system and promoting healing. Thus, by dramatically increasing the oxygen content level in blood and compromised tissue, HBOT provides the ideal environment to promote the growth of new tissue and vessels and discourage growth of bacteria-factors that are all cornerstones of wound healing.

I’ve tried HBOT twice before. My first round in 2017 brought significant improvement—the wound shrank dramatically before eventually plateauing. I tried again in 2021 after another surgery, but the results weren’t the same. Now, after having my pelvis cleaned out again in 2025, we believe that partnering with Sara’s Garden and committing to a full course of HBOT may finally give my wound the chance to heal completely.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for my condition is only $150 per treatment at Sara’s Garden (as opposed to $1,500-2,500 per treatment at a hospital). Unfortunately, my insurance company will not cover the cost of the treatments. Since my plan is to receive at least 40 HBOT treatments that cost adds up quickly.

If you could assist us with the cost (or even just part of the cost) of a single $150 treatment it would help reduce our overall expenses greatly. 100% of the funds received will go into an account in my name and will be used for my treatments. Any contribution made would be considered a tax-deductible donation as Sara’s Garden is a 501(c)(3) non-profit facility. Checks can be made out to Sara’s Garden with my name written on a sheet of paper accompanying the check. Please do NOT write my name directly on the check. You can also donate securely online via credit card by clicking on the DONATE NOW button below.

I’m seeking financial support and prayer to pursue these treatments. My hope is not only for physical healing, but that this becomes yet another chapter in the testimony God is writing through my life. Jesus Christ is the ultimate healer, and I trust that He knows exactly what my body needs. I’m simply doing my part to pursue the opportunities He places in front of me. Thank you so much for considering the support of my treatments at Sara’s Garden.

Shane Miller