Lamar Odom's Health Improves As He Reportedly Begins Physical Therapy [UPDATED]

Just about 70 hours have passed since Lamar Odom awoke from his four-day coma, and the good news keeps rolling in. According to Los Angeles Daily News’ Mark Medina, Odom has now begun physical therapy sessions after his ability to breathe, communicate and see have all taken significant turns for the better.  

"We're more hopeful now [that Odom is on the mend],” Jim Harrick, Odom’s college coach, said on CNN’s “New Day”  on Monday. “We've been on pins and needles for days.”

While the former NBA player’s verbal communications are apparently still limited at this point , Harrick relayed that Odom was able to say “I love you” and then “good morning” to estranged wife Khloe Kardashian on Monday morning. Odom’s first words after emerging from his coma on Friday were also directed toward Kardashian, as he looked at her and reportedly said, “Hey, baby .”

Per Medina, the outcome of Odom’s physical therapy will indicate the extent to which his motor skills were impaired by last week’s reported drug overdose, as doctors try to gauge whether he suffered brain damage during the ordeal. This news comes one day after Odom was helped out of bed  and to a chair, per E! News.

While Odom was able to breathe without ventilator assistance this weekend, Medina writes that he has still “experienced frequent fatigue and has received constant treatment on his lungs and kidneys.”

Odom's aunt, JaNean Mercer, gave a further update Monday, writing that with “God’s grace” the former Sixth Man of the Year is “defying the odds in his toughest battle to date” and “is getting stronger and reaching significant milestones in his recovery" every day.

UPDATE - Oct. 19, 2015: Lamar Odom was reportedly discharged from the Las Vegas hospital where he's been recovering for the past week after being found unconscious in a brothel. On Monday, Odom was transferred to a Los Angeles medical facility  for additional treatment and therapy.

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