Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom was photographed during a Los Angeles Clippers game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in Denver, March 7, 2013. Odom reportedly has a long road ahead of him in his recovery. Getty Images

In the weeks since Lamar Odom's Oct. 16 hospitalization and stroke the former NBA player has made unbelievable strides toward recovery. New reports suggest, however, that he still has a long and "very challenging" way to go and the damage done to his body may be more severe than previously believed.

According to People magazine, Odom, 36, continues to progress from his comatose state after being found unconscious inside a legal Nevada brothel last month, but lasting damage from oxygen depravation has created some serious hurdles in his recovery. Sources close to the star claim he is unable to walk on his own and that verbal communication has been challenging for him, both issues directly linked to his brain's oxygen source being cut off. Another source close to Odom's estranged wife Khloé Kardashian claims he will likely be forced to spend "a long time" in the hospital and will need round-the-clock care when he is able to return home.

"Lamar has serious long term and lasting issues. His life will never be the same as it once was," a source told People.

While it is unknown who will be tasked with caring for Odom after his eventual release from Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles it seems likely that Kardashian, 30, will play some sort of role. The former L.A. Laker's estranged wife has spent much of her free time at his bedside since the earliest days of his hospitalization. In fact, on Nov. 16, while speaking to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Kardashian revealed that she only left Odom’s bedside due to growing concern from her family over her mental state. She told the newspaper she reluctantly left the hospital to workout with her trainer and younger sister Kendall Jenner and felt “‘human again.'" She is no longer a permanent fixture at Odom's bedside, but makes frequent visits. She even put together an intimate birthday bash for the former NBA player on Nov. 6 inside the hospital.

On Nov. 18, it was reported that Kardashian had been spending so much time at the hospital that she contracted an infection. The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" reality star reportedly discovered a lesion on her leg and began experiencing a fever, intermittent chills and swollen glands. After running several tests doctors diagnosed her with a staph infection. Kardashian has spoken out several times since being diagnosed, urging her fans to take care of themselves.

While Kardashian has been very vocal about her own health she remains mum on Odom's. She has not released an update on him since Oct. 20.

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