Adam Schlesinger’s girlfriend ‘thankful’ to have spent last hour with him before he died of coronavirus
Grammy-winning singer, Adam Schlesinger’s girlfriend, Alexis Morley, penned a long Instagram post, recalling the last moments of her boyfriend's life before he died of coronavirus on April 1, at the age of 52.
Along with a tribute to the Fountains of Wayne cofounder on April 26, Morley shared the final photo of the couple which was taken on March 15 during a “gorgeous, 4-mile walk” at Poets’ Walk Park in Red Hook, New York. She recalled how, at the time, he still had ample hopes of recovering from the virus, which only showed flu-like symptoms.
“That night he woke up at 4 am with a fever. We spent such a sweet week together, our roles kind of reversed because usually Adam was the one to take care of me. I tried to keep him comfortable, nurse him back to health, as we waited for the fever to break. We were sure it would—just like any other crappy flu. He said, ‘I’m ok. I have my Alexis,’” she captioned the post.
Schlesinger’s optimism failed to waver even when his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to the hospital.
"But 7 days later things got worse and I brought him to the hospital. I wasn’t allowed to walk in with him. I drove home alone through a snowstorm terrified (the first time I’d driven a car in years), but we spent the night texting, making cute jokes, feeling optimistic. He kept telling me how much he loved me and thanked me for ‘saving [his] life,’” she wrote.
That was the last time she heard from him as even after 10 days in the hospital his condition continued to worsen. Then came the heart-wrenching call.
“I never got to hear his voice again,” Morley wrote. “After 10 days of me, our incredible families, and friends drawing on every resource possible trying to help, I got a 3 am call from the hospital. He wasn’t going to make it. I asked if there was any way I could see him (a cruelty of the pandemic is a strict ban on visitors). They made special arrangements for me to be allowed into the COVID unit: a low-lit, grim, heavy place; the medical workers and I obscured by layers of PPE. But Adam looked sweet, peaceful, beautiful. I’m so thankful that I got to spend that one final hour with him.”
During his final hour, Morley said that she “was able to connect” with Schlesinger’s daughters, Sadie and Claire, over FaceTime - which enabled them to have one final glimpse of their dad. She added that after she returned home, a “wonderfully compassionate” nurse called her, saying that her boyfriend had passed away shortly after she left the hospital.
“It had been a dark, overcast day, but at that moment the sun came out for just a few minutes and lit up the entire sky,” she added. “I love you so, so much, Adam," the Instagram post concluded.
The post was flooded with fans offering prayers and condolences to Morley.
"I don't know you and I didn't know Adam, but I am so very sorry for your loss. I just read your story on USA Today and it broke my heart. This pandemic is nothing short of horrifying and taking away our loved ones. Sending comforting vibes your way. Please take care," one user said.
Another wrote: "Thanks so very for sharing. Adam was a huge part of a lot of lives and it means a ton that you could let us in one more time. Hopefully getting this out helps you in even the smallest manner. Love and light."