Lamar Odom Continues Miraculous Recovery, Gets Out Of Bed For First Time Since Hospitalization

Former NBA superstar Lamar Odom continues to fight his way toward recovery following his emergency hospitalization earlier this week that had reports circling the internet regarding Odom’s condition ranging anywhere from “grave” to “deathbed.” Now it appears that Odom is not only awake and speaking on his own, but that the two-time NBA champion has now gotten out of bed

Justin Block of The Huffington Post reports that Odom was assisted into a chair, marking the first time the Laker has gotten out of bed since entering the hospital on Tuesday. Further, Odom, who was only weaned off of life support on Friday, passed a crucial swallow test, which is said to be crucial neurological function and a major step toward recovery.

E! Online‘s Natalie Finn and Holly Passalaqua report that Odom continues to wear a mask to aid the flow of oxygen, but that Odom no longer requires a breathing tube and is breathing on his own. This follows the miraculous news on Saturday that after being eased out of his medically induced coma, Odom had opened his eyes and was communicating with family members. While that communication is reported to be primarily by way of thumbs up and thumbs down hand signals, reports also state that Odom has spoken verbally and become more conversational in the last couple of days.

Odom was hospitalized Tuesday in a report by news outlet TMZ that the Olympic bronze medalist was found unconscious at the Love Ranch in Crystal, Nevada, on Tuesday by escorts that work at the establishment. Workers reportedly found Odom with some pinkish fluid oozing from his nose and mouth. Odom was transferred to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, whereby he was placed in the medically induced coma while hospital staff rushed to save his life.

Initial reports of Odom’s condition had many fearing that the NBA great had little to no chance of recovery, with multiple outlets reporting that Odom’s organs, including his liver, kidneys, and heart, were failing, and that family and friends, including estranged wife and reality television star Khloe Kardashian, were rushing to the hospital to say their goodbyes. Some speculated that Odom had overdosed on cocaine and an herbal sexual enhancement supplement sold at the brothel, while others had speculated that Odom has suffered an ischemic stroke. L.A. Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant rushed to visit Odom at the hospital following a preseason game played by the Lakers in Las Vegas, and the organization has stated their support of Odom.

Odom entered the National Basketball Association as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers in 1999. After spending the 2003-2004 season with the Miami Heat, Odom was traded to the Lakers in a deal that brought Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal to Miami. During Odom’s seven seasons with the Lakers, he helped the team win two NBA championships. Odom also played on the United States national team helping the U.S. to bring home a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic games, as well as gold medal in the FIBA World Championship in 2010.

[Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images For AXE]

In 2009, Odom married Khloe Kardashian and made several appearances on the socialite’s reality television series Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The couple even had their own reality show, Khloe & Lamar. In recent years, the couple had separated and were in the process of finalizing their divorce. It is reported that since Odom’s hospitalization, Khloe has not left her husband’s bedside, and has arranged for several of his family members, including his children and their mother, to travel to Las Vegas to see him during this difficult time.