The internet seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after news broke that Lamar Odom had awakened from a four-day coma, looked at his estranged wife, Khloé Kardashian, who has not left his side since rushed to a Las Vegas hospital, and said simply, “Hey Baby.”
Friends and relatives have confirmed that the former NBA star regained consciousness and is responsive four days after being found near death in a Nevada brothel.
#LamarOdom responded to Khloé Kardashian telling him 'I love you,' says source http://t.co/DRkzZhP2OP pic.twitter.com/YRE4paRymp
— People magazine (@people) October 17, 2015
Alvina Alston, publicist for JaNean Mercer, Odom’s maternal aunt and godmother, said that Odom spoke a greeting and gave a thumbs-up Friday morning.
“He woke up and he spoke,” Alston said.
Odom’s former coach Jim Harrick said Khloé Kardashian told him that Odom is now off dialysis, and that he showed a response when she reached down to say “Lamar, I love you.”
“Khloe has promised me she’s going to stay by his bedside until she and him can walk out of the hospital together,” Harrick said.
Authorities continue to investigate Odom’s $75,000, three-day visit to the brothel. Blood test results to determine what caused his medical episode still pending.
Odom was found unconscious at the Love Ranch Tuesday with white and reddish substances coming from his nose and mouth. He was breathing and taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas.
Khloé Kardashian rushed to his side that night, followed by Kris Jenner and the Kardashian sisters. According to reports, Khloé flew Lamar’s ex-wife and his two children to be by his side as Lamar’s condition continued to deteriorate.
Lamar Odom is conscious and has communicated with Khloé Kardashian, a source tells Variety http://t.co/kiVzeHoPqQ pic.twitter.com/j3sAg866uW
— Variety (@Variety) October 16, 2015
Kardashian notified her fans that the family would not be posting on social media during Odom’s health crisis.
“As a family, we’ve decided to hold off on publishing content across our apps while we continue to support and pray for Lamar,” she posted, thanking fans for their love, support and understanding.
Mercer issued her own statement Friday thanking the public for its support, saying they’re family was focused on Odom’s “complete healing.”
“No words can express the overwhelming gratitude we feel for the outpouring of support from around the world,” the statement issued Friday said.
Lamar Odom wakes from coma, gives Khloé Kardashian thumbs up and speaks: http://t.co/tYvb6ALKUX pic.twitter.com/zOrTFdMTZQ
— E! Online (@eonline) October 16, 2015
Meanwhile, Khloé Kardashian remains by her estranged husband’s side as he makes improvements, knowing full well that he is not yet out of the woods and has a long road to complete recovery — a recovery the whole world seems to want for the beloved, former Los Angeles player.