Lamar Odom Health Update: Former NBA Star May Need Kidney Transplant, Other Medical Concerns Revealed
Lamar Odom has made a miraculous recovery that is being reported by news outlets around the country. Although the former NBA star has survived a riveting brush with death, doctors have made it clear that he is still not out of the woods yet. In fact, there’s currently a major issue he has to battle – kidney failure, according to Page Six.
An inside source recently shared a relatively blunt description of Lamar’s kidneys, revealing that there is probably nothing that can be done to sustain them. Even though he’ll be undergoing six hours of dialysis a day, the extensive treatment still may not be enough to improve the condition of his kidneys. If that is the outcome, the only other option left would be a kidney transplant.
“His kidneys are shot,” a source told TMZ.
Lamar Odom's kidney's are reportedly failing: https://t.co/uRVAAbEqoh pic.twitter.com/8wYeiEgdsu
— BET (@BET) October 20, 2015
Recent updates about Lamar Odom’s kidney complications have been reported along with news detailing his transfer from Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the ICU at Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, California, on the night of Monday, October 19. According to People magazine, an insider recently shared details about Lamar’s status. Although he’s reportedly responsive, doctors are still unable to confirm if he’ll make a full recovery. There are a number of medical factors that may detrimental to Lamar’s improvement.
“He’s responsive, but there are so many things that could go wrong right now, and the doctors have still been guarded. Khloé has been praying a lot, both to herself and out loud to Lamar. She wants him to know that she’s still on his side, and that everyone is praying for him.”
It has also been reported that Lamar Odom is scheduled to undergo a series of brain tests to determine the extent of damage he suffered as a result of having multiple strokes. The treatment he’ll be receiving at Cedars-Sinai will be geared toward specialized needs. If the problems with his kidneys do not improve, there are a number of other concerns that have been considered.
The road to a kidney transplant could be a relatively long one as those in need are placed on a transplant list. However, getting on the actual list isn’t an easily attainable feat. During a discussion with Hollywood Life, Urologist Dr. S. Adam Ramin briefly explained the daunting process in place for a new kidney. The process could take months, or even years, to receive in some cases. Then, there’s the possibility of the body rejecting a kidney after a transplant is complete.
“[Patients] have to go through a vigorous process to get on the transplant list, physically, psychologically and mentally. It can take months or years to get a kidney. It is not like you go into kidney failure and tomorrow you get a new kidney.”
At this point, Lamar Odom’s family, friends, and fans are praying that extensive dialysis can be a contributing factor to his recovery and that a kidney transplant won’t be needed. The news comes just days after Lamar emerged from a three-day coma after being found unconscious inside the Love Ranch, a legal brothel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lamar’s condition led many to believe that he had very little chance of survival, but he has made substantial progress despite speculation of brain damage. Although he is reportedly breathing on his own, speaking full sentences, and eating, it will still take months of therapy and other treatments to determine the extent of his injuries and chances of full recovery.
[Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images]
