Former NBA player Lamar Odom has been in a medically induced coma ever since he was found unresponsive in a brothel Wednesday, and while his condition isn't drastically improving, one organ has finally responded in a major way.
Tests showed Friday morning that his heart function is "much better," sources told TMZ. Doctors are informing Odom's friends and family that this is a good sign of improvement as many of his organs had been failing on him. While this is exciting news, doctors do ask that everyone in the room remain "calm" because "they do not want him stimulated." The less stimulated he remains, the more likely he is to heal. As he shows this small, yet important, sign of improvement, only his estranged wife Khloé Kardashian remains in the actual room by his bedside.
While this is a great sign, and the only improvement that has been seen so far, it is still a scary situation.
Earlier reports showed that he had not gotten any worse, but he also had not gotten any better. "He hasn't suffered any more strokes," a hospital source told E! News earlier Friday morning. "But he's not getting better and that has everyone worried."
The source went on to explain that he currently has a breathing tube and a feeding tube, as well as an IV, which the doctors have been pumping clot-busting medication into in order to prevent any further strokes.
His family and friends are still completely devastated over the entire situation, but they're not giving up hope. "It's nonstop praying," the source added. As much as they don't want to give up hope, they do understand that they still have to prepare for the worst.
Doctors have been helping the family prepare for any possible outcome because the longer he remains in this unresponsive state, there are still very little chances of him having a normally functioning brain. Even if he were to wake up, there's a possibility he could have "a protracted stay in the hospital." Because of the multiple strokes he has most likely suffered, "he could have severe physical and mental impairment," which could affect his ability to speak, walk and swallow.
Kardashian still remains in charge of all of his medical decisions, as she is still legally married to him, even though they were in the process of divorcing. Odom, who does not have an advanced health care directive, never clarified his wishes on whether or not he would like to be kept alive by machines or have the plug pulled if a situation as tragic as this one were to occur.
His family and friends continue to ask for prayers.
