14 DAY TRIAL // Ex-NBA star Lamar Odom remains in critical condition at the Los Angeles hospital he was transferred to last week, after a near-fatal drug overdose at a Nevada brothel. Though he’s woken from the coma and has been able to communicate with estranged wife Khloe Kardashian, he is far from making a full recovery, it has emerged.
Shortly after the overdose, Lamar suffered a series of strokes that doctors feared would cause brain damage. When he woke up from the coma and was able to speak, reports said that there was no cause for concern in this sense, but TMZ says that this isn’t entirely accurate.
Lamar’s ability to walk and talk has been impaired
The celebrity publication says that Lamar suffered about 12 strokes during the height of his medical crisis, which were spotted by doctors after a series of brain scans. They also determined that his motor skills have been impaired, but for the time being, doctors have no way of establishing if the damage is permanent.
“Although the strokes didn't affect vital organs, we're told they did have an impact on his ability to walk and talk,” TMZ says. “He'll undergo months of physical therapy and doctors don't know the extent to which his motor skills and speech will be restored.”
That Lamar would have to undergo months of therapy to make a good recovery was known from the start, as sources at the hospital revealed more details about his condition to the press.
While in a coma and fighting for his life, Lamar had multiple-organ failure, but now only his kidneys are still failing and all the other vital organs have resumed normal functions. He is believed to be in line for a transplant.
Lamar’s descent into heavy drug abuse
At the height of his career, Lamar played for the LA Lakers, but his performance on court started to suffer after he and Khloe got married in 2009 and he got a taste of what it’s like to be a reality star.
His problems began to worsen after his transfer to the Dallas Mavericks, but he continued to deny them for another 2 years. In December 2013, Khloe filed for divorce after repeatedly trying (and failing) to get him to rehab.
He would spend the next couple of years sinking deeper into addiction as he completely fell off the celebrity radar.
At the time he overdosed on “every imaginable drug known to man” earlier this month, his divorce from Khloe was still not finalized, and the two agreed to stay married at least until his recovery is complete and filed a joint petition asking the judge to dismiss it.