Remember when Lamar Odom was a remarkably talented basketball player, when he was focused and funny and his relationship with Khloe Kardashian made us believe in true love?
That seems like a different lifetime, doesn’t it?
Lamar’s career began suffering a few years ago, and after being traded around to different teams, his marriage began to suffer as well.
He and Khloe separated, new drug rumors started popping up, and then he filmed a tragic video in which he laughed and rapped about cheating on Khloe.
She finally filed for divorce, and Lamar kind of fell off the radar … until last October, when he overdosed and very nearly died at a brothel in Nevada.
Somehow he managed to pull through with a miraculous recovery, but just a few months later, he was photographed drinking at a bar, and rumors began swirling that he’d returned to his drug use.
It’s enough to break your heart, right?
Well, hold on. because we haven’t even started yet.
Earlier this week, we learned that Lamar had made the decision to check himself into rehab for a (hopefully) 60 day stay.
At the time, a source close to him explained that “It was his own decision.”
“He wanted to work on his mental and physical health for the next chapter of his life,” the insider claimed.
“He has not fallen off the wagon, but he understands the importance of maintaining his sobriety.”
But now we’re learning some new details … and these details are just so incredibly painful to hear.
According to sources who spoke with TMZ, Lamar decided to head to rehab because his late son’s birthday is approaching, and he feared that the occasion would lead to a relapse.
Lamar had three children with his ex, Liza Morales. Their daughter Destiny was born in 1998, little Lamar Jr. was born in 2002, and they had another son, Jayden, on December 15th, 2005.
But just six months later, Jayden passed away from SIDS.
The pain Lamar must be feeling is inconceivable, and sources say that this loss was the main reason he started doing hard drugs in the first place.
Sadly enough, those same sources also claim that Lamar is having a hard time dealing with the fact that his marriage with Khloe is very nearly officially over.
So for him to take care of himself enough to check into rehab, just in case he couldn’t handle the awful feelings that are surely coming up during this time of year, it’s pretty admirable.
Best of wishes to Lamar, and here’s hoping that he’s able to get whatever help he needs.
