Lamar Odom’s aunt is speaking out about his hospitalization.
JaNean Mercer, Odom’s maternal aunt, released a statement through her rep, Alvina Alson, to US Weekly. Mercer confirmed that Odom’s condition is improving.
"[He] gave a thumbs-up to the doctors this morning and said a few words to them,” the statement said.
We previously reported Friday that Odom opened his eyes and spoke to his ex-wife Khloe Kardashian. The former basketball star is now breathing on his own. Kris Jenner, Khloe's mother, also told Access Hollywood that Odom's condition is getting better.
Odom was found unconscious at a legal brothel in Nevada with various drugs in his system on Tuesday, and has been hospitalized at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas ever since.
Mercer’s statement also thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
"No words can express the overwhelming gratitude we feel for the outpouring of support from around the world," Mercer's statement, released to Us Weekly through a rep, reads. "Please continue to keep in your prayers, our family and Lamar, whom we deeply love, admire, and cherish. His complete healing is paramount and our primary focus. Please respect our privacy as we continue to lean on God and trust in Him during this extremely difficult time.”