Lamar Odom's Aunt JaNean Mercer Says He's "Beginning to Gradually Flourish"

Former NBA star continues treatment in Los Angeles

By Francesca Bacardi Oct 22, 2015 3:40 PMTags
JaNean Mercer, Lamar OdomPremiere/Rocstar/Galo/FAMEFLYNET/Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Only good news continues to come from the people surrounding Lamar Odom!

His Aunt JaNean Mercer, revealed in a statement obtained by E! News that the former Los Angeles Lakers player's health is improving tremendously, and his medical team has even put together an intensive therapy program to further help him along in his journey to recovery.

"To our overwhelming delight, Lamar's courageous improvement continues on the incline in Los Angeles. He is beginning to gradually flourish both mentally and physically," she said. " His use of speech has increased and he's more cognitively responsive. His medical team has executed an aggressive therapy regimen to aid in his progress."

Lamar's family, including Khloe Kardashian, remains by his side as he actively recovers after being found unconscious in a Las Vegas brothel. "As a family, we will remain united in our love and devotion to Lamar's health and well being. Again, that is our NUMBER ONE priority," she added.

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"In SINCERELY loving Lamar, we truly love and respect whomever he loves. We always have and will continue to do so. Together as a team, we will support and encourage him always."

As E! News confirmed Wednesday, Khloe and Lamar decided to call off their divorce. Although both signed divorce papers in July, a backlog in the Los Angeles court system prevented them from being signed off by a judge, so they were still legally married.

Khloe's attorney Laura Wasser went into court Wednesday morning and asked the judge to withdraw the divorce petition that was awaiting a judge's signature. The judge granted the petition and the divorce case is now over.

A source added, "Khloe thinks this was the right thing to do right now."

There are no immediate plans for Lamar to be discharged from the hospital, but thankfully his health is on the mend. "Every day he is getting a bit better, but he is continuing to have extensive tests on his cognitive and motor functions, so no one can make a definitive diagnosis yet" an insider said, adding, "He is more coherent day by day."