Lamar Odom health update: Out of coma, reportedly making progress

Lamar OdomReuters

Lamar Odom is said to be getting better. Last Friday, several news outlets confirmed that the former NBA star came out of a coma three days after being found unconscious in a brothel in Nevada. His ex-wife, Khloe Kardashian, is said to have stayed with Odom all throughout the ordeal, and a source told Us Weekly that Odom opened his eyes on Friday, Oct. 16 and that he grabbed the doctor's hand. The insider added that the 35-year old athlete's first word was "hello."

According to another source with E! News, Odom said "Hey, baby" to Kardashian before he fell back asleep. Kris Jenner also spoke with Access Hollywood and confirmed that Odom spoke to her daughter and that his condition has improved.

Since Odom regained consciousness, a source told Us Weekly on Sunday that not much has changed with regard to his condition, but "he's getting better little by little." The basketball star is also said to be breathing on his own.

"He's slowly saying more words," said the source. The insider said that Kardashian is continuing to stay with Odom as he recovers.

"She strokes his hand and kisses his cheek. It's very sad and sweet," said the source.

Meanwhile, a source close to the family told Entertainment Tonight that though Odom was able to get up with assistance, he's "still very weak." It was also reported that he has begun to communicate through hand signals.

Despite improvements, the star reportedly remains in the Intensive Care Unit and is still considered to be in critical condition. E! says that due to kidney failure, Odom remains on dialysis and that doctors are still running tests to know the extent of possible brain damage or other effects from his accidental overdose.

Odom was found unconscious on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada. Authorities say that various drugs were found in his system and that he was placed in a medically induced coma on Wednesday.