Advertisement

Christopher Cross Reveals He Was Paralyzed by COVID: 'It Was the Worst 10 Days of My Life'

CBS Sunday morning Christopher Cross

Christopher Cross is opening up about his harrowing battle with COVID-19.

The 69-year-old singer, best known for his '80s songs "Sailing" and "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)," shared his experience with the deadly virus in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, airing this weekend.

"There was some come-to-Jesus moments or whatever where I was looking for any help I could get to, you know, through this, to get out of this thing," he told CBS News' Serena Altschul. "Because I wasn't sure."

The Grammy winner, who first announced in April he had tested positive for COVID-19, revealed during the interview he contracted the virus along with his girlfriend after a trip to Mexico City. He was later diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which caused his body to attack his nerves.

According to Cross, his doctors believe the diagnosis was caused by COVID-19.

"It was the worst 10 days of my life," Cross recalled. "And I couldn't walk, could barely move. And so, it was certainly the darkest of times for me. It really was touch and go, and tough."

David Wolff - Patrick/Getty Images Christopher Cross

RELATED: 'Sailing' Singer Christopher Cross Tests Positive for Coronavirus: 'Possibly Worst Illness I've Ever Had'

In the throes of his illness, Cross ended up talking to a higher power: "I could tell you that I had a few conversations when I was in there – with whoever he or she is, and just saying, you know, 'If you could just get me out of here, I will be a better person.'"

The musician said he wanted to share his own story to educate others on the deadly virus, which has killed over 1 million people worldwide.

"I'm not a big celebrity, but it's important for people to know you can get this disease. I felt it was my obligation to share with people," he said. "'Look, this is a big deal. Like, you've got to wear your mask. You've got to take care of each other. Because this could happen to you.'"

RELATED VIDEO: Amanda Kloots, Widow of Nick Cordero, Calls Trump ‘Disgraceful’ for Minimizing Deadly Coronavirus

Amanda Kloots, Widow of Nick Cordero, Calls Trump ‘Disgraceful’ for Minimizing Deadly Coronavirus

PLUS: Amanda Kloots Pays Tribute to Nick Cordero 3 Months After His Death: 'COVID Took My Husband'

Cross needed a wheelchair after he was temporarily paralyzed. While he is now able to move around with a cane, the singer is still struggling to recover both physically and mentally.

"My walking is affected," he said. "My speech at times can be affected. Memory is a big deal, too. Just neurologically, I'm kind of a little foggy. Now I'm on medication … a nerve pain medication, which also can cause some fogginess."

"But until I can get off it at some point, I won't know how clear I would be," he added. "But most people with Guillain-Barre heal about 90% to 100% over about a year. That's what my prognosis is.”

CBS Sunday Morning airs this Sunday at 9 a.m. ET on CBS.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. To help provide doctors and nurses on the front lines with life-saving medical resources, donate to Direct Relief here.