USA TODAY International Edition
Odom may need transplant
NBA star undergoing dialysis after collapse
Lamar Odom might need a kidney transplant as his medical treatment continues in Los Angeles, a person with knowledge of his condition told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday.
The person asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter and because Odom was receiving ongoing treatment.
Odom was moved from Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles on Monday night. The person said that while he would continue to undergo regular kidney dialysis treatment, a transplant was a viable possibility at some stage.
Odom was found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel called the Love Ranch last Tuesday after a three- day stay at the establishment. Police were told that he had used cocaine and sexual- enhancement supplements in the preceding days.
He suffered several strokes and multiple organ failure, and, while other organs have returned to functionality, his kidneys are still failing, the person said.
In general, the outlook for Odom is far better than at the end of last week, with the 2010- 11 NBA sixth man of the year and two- time world champion with the Los Angeles Lakers able to communicate with family members, walk a few steps and spend time out of bed resting in a chair.
He is expected to receive extensive therapy in order to improve his physical capabilities and have brain tests to ascertain whether his mental function has been affected by his collapse, the person said.
“He continues to make miraculous progress, taking a few steps in Los Angeles,” a statement from his family said.