Eisenman had Central's biggest comeback By Eric Bentzinger Comebacks were a Central trademark last fall as the Dutch were outgained in seven of the 10 regular-season victories, trailed in six games and needed fourth-quarter scores to prevail four times. But those turnarounds pale in comparison to the one pulled off by defensive back Chad Eisenman. Less than six months before the season opener, Eisenman lay in a coma and had lost 45 pounds. Doctors were telling his parents there was nothing left they could do. Yet on Sept. 1, Eisenman was on the field as a cornerback for an Iowa Conference champion Dutch squad that went on to win 12 straight games before falling in the NCAA Division III playoff quarterfinals. Following the remarkable recovery, Eisenman is even more prepared as he enters his senior season as a starter. But in the early spring of 2007, he wasn't thinking about football. He suffered from bad headaches, chills and a fever. He checked himself into the local hospital in late March and was diagnosed with severe dehydration. But when Eisenman returned to the hospital the next day he could barely walk from his car to the emergency room. He was quickly transferred from the Pella Regional Medical Center to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. The ambulance ride is the last event he remembers from the next two weeks. Eisenman was suffering from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, severe pneumonia and a blood infection. The doctors at Methodist decided to induce a coma and put ice on Eisenman's body because his fever was so high. It was then they told his parents there was nothing more they could do. Because of heavy medication, Eisenman was hallucinating and he remembers very little of that time, but three weeks later his fever finally leveled off and he began to show signs of improvement. Eisenman does remember the doctor telling him he could make a full recovery. “I was originally scared I would not recover,” said Eisenman. “Once the doctors told me I could make a full recovery, I told myself there was no way I was going to miss out on football. I was going to do whatever it took.” Eisenman knew he had a long battle in front of him as he weighed 140 pounds (down from his usual 185). Not only had he missed out on an important part of the offseason strength and speed work, his muscles had atrophied so significantly he needed help just to sit up. With less than four months before football practices started, Eisenman had to learn to walk again. He eventually moved up to riding a stationary bike in Central's weight room to condition his lungs. Once he conquered that hurdle, Eisenman began to lift weights. “I had to start lifting from scratch because my muscles had deteriorated so much,” he said. “I hadn't eaten solid food for three weeks. After a month and a half, I started to tell myself I could push myself and play again.” Despite all he had been through, once Eisenman was told he could make a full recovery coach Jeff McMartin was confident Eisenman would be ready for the football season. “We didn't question his health or worry about something putting him back in the hospital,” said McMartin. “He lost a lot of weight and strength during a key time of our offseason so we were concerned about that. We were confident in him because he is competitive, a hard worker and a hard-nosed young man. We knew he was mentally and physically tough enough.” Eisenman concluded his long recovery Sept. 1 when he started Central's opening game against St. Thomas. He started every game before sustaining an elbow injury in the opening-round contest of the playoffs would sideline him for the remainder of the season. Eisenman recorded 25 tackles, with five pass breakups, an interception and a blocked field-goal attempt. Eisenman credits the support he received from Central as a factor in his recovery. “It was crazy how much support I got,” he said. “When I realized what was going on I remember the hospital room being filled with balloons and cards. There was a big Central flag with all of the players' autographs. All of the coaches were there multiple times to visit and see how I was doing. It was unbelievable the amount of effort they went through. Once I was released from the hospital, (head athletic trainer) Lesle Duinink and (strength and conditioning coordinator) Jake Anderson worked with me individually and really helped me a lot. Part of the reason I came through was the support I received." As Eisenman prepares for his senior season of football, he admits he looks back to last year and has a different perspective. “I always thought that stuff like this happened to other people and not me,” he said. “I cherish football a lot more. There is not a guarantee that I am going to play again and it is not something I take for granted. My whole perspective on life has changed a lot.” | |
| Permalink | Jul 14, 2008 | |
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