Lamar Odom's Brain Still Swollen: He Is Being Treated as a 'Brain Trauma Victim,' Source Says

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While Lamar Odom may be making progress while receiving treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, it appears he is still facing a very treacherous road to recovery.

A source close to the situation tells ET that the 35-year-old athlete's brain injuries are "still serious," and that Odom is being treated by doctors as a victim of brain trauma.

"It wasn't just one small stroke, it was a series of strokes," the source tells ET. "They won't know the extent of the damage for a few months. They need time for the brain swelling to go down."

WATCH: Lamar Odom Reportedly Undergoes Surgeries, Is in 'Fragile Mental State'

Odom has been hospitalized since Oct. 13 when he was found unconscious in a room at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada. The former Los Angeles Lakers star spent a week at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas before being airlifted to Cedars.

Reports of Odom making "miraculous" progress soon began to circulate, with claims that he was having conversations with visitors and even getting out of bed. However, according to ET's source, these early reports were "grossly exaggerated."

"He can speak, yes, but he’s not having conversations. He's not operating like he was before this," the source says.

WATCH: Khloe Kardashian Is 'Not Delusional,' but She Won't Give Up on Lamar Odom

Odom's hospitalization is just the beginning of a difficult road to regaining his health and cognizance. The source tells ET that, in the future, "depending on the extent of the damage" he's suffered, Odom may need a voice therapist, a speech therapist and a physical therapist so he can "learn how to do certain motor skills again."

In the wake of Odom's medical emergency, Khloe Kardashian has decided to put a hold on their ongoing divorce proceedings, reportedly so she could retain her power of attorney privileges, which will allow her to continue to make medical decisions for Odom.

The source tells ET that the 31-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star has hope that this incident could be the catalyst to a sober and drug-free life for her estranged husband.

WATCH: Kobe Bryant on Lamar Odom's 'Amazing' Progress -- 'It Truly Is Remarkable'

"The doctors have already told Khloe that if he ever did drugs again, the damage it would do his brain will be irreversible," ET's source says. "This is his chance to finally quit drugs all together and start a new life, and everyone is just hoping he will."

However, just because the former couple are putting their divorce on hold, doesn't mean Kardashian has ended her relationship with NBA star James Harden.

On Wednesday, she flew to Houston for that evening's Rockets game, where she watched from a suite. Check out the video below to find out more.