Rachel’s Story
Rachel Eglseder is a recent graduate of Edgewood-Colesburg, and a three-sport athlete competing in softball, basketball, and track.
In November 2025, her life took an unexpected turn.
“I had a little lump on my neck for a few months,” Rachel said. “It wasn’t painful, and I didn’t have any other symptoms.”
What happened next is a powerful reminder of how small-town medicine can make a life-changing difference.
Their family’s primary care provider, Amber Jaeger, ARNP, PMHNP, was attending an open house at Edgy Megs, Rachel’s family’s business in Edgewood, when Rachel’s dad, Brooks, asked her to take a quick look at the lump. She didn’t hesitate.
“She took Rachel into my office, checked it and said, ‘If I were you, I would go to the ER right now,’” he recalled.
Amber called ahead, and the team at Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics was ready.
“We got right in,” Brooks said. “She had a CT scan within 15 minutes.”
From there, everything moved quickly. The care team coordinated with specialists in Iowa City, and Rachel was transported that same night. Further testing confirmed Hodgkin lymphoma.
“It was really hard to take it all in at first,” Rachel said. “But once I did, I realized I can’t change that I have this—I just had to work through it and go at my own pace.”
And that’s exactly what she did.
When Rachel asked her doctor about continuing sports, the answer surprised her.
“If your body can handle it, go ahead,” her doctor told her.
Rachel didn’t just continue—she thrived. She played in nearly every basketball game and went on to break three school records: three-pointers in a game, three-pointers in a season, and three-pointers in a career.
“I would receive treatment and then come back and play that night,” she said. “Even my doctor was amazed.”
While her treatment plan was guided by specialists in Iowa City, much of Rachel’s care has taken place close to home at GMHC. She has her PICC line dressing changed and flushed, and receives weekly lab work locally, with results sent directly to her care team—saving time, reducing travel, and allowing her to stay focused on school, sports, and recovery.
“The services GMHC provides have saved us a lot of time and miles,” Brooks said. “It saves us about three hours every time. If her labs aren’t where they need to be, we don’t make the trip to Iowa City.”
That flexibility has made a meaningful difference, especially for a student-athlete balancing treatment and competition.
“They worked with us so she could still get back to Edgewood for practice or games,” he said.
Through it all, Rachel has continued moving forward with remarkable resilience. Even with a PICC line in place, she stayed active and committed to the things she loves.
“My doctor thought it went so well because of my positive attitude,” Rachel said.
Her dad agrees.
“Having basketball to keep her going—that was huge. She was not letting this slow her down.”
Rachel’s final treatment was April 30. She graduated just a few weeks later on May 17.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue her education, pursue her passion for working with animals, and play softball as a pitcher at the college level. Looking back, her family knows how important that first decision was.
“Iowa City told us it was crucial that Amber sent us to the ER right away,” Brooks said. “A lot of providers might have waited. That made all the difference.”
Rachel’s story is one of determination, resilience, and the strength of a young athlete who refused to be defined by her diagnosis. It’s also a reflection of the kind of care that starts with a provider who knows you—and acts when it matters most.
It’s a story of what’s possible when high-quality care is available close to home—where relationships matter, decisions are made quickly, and you’re supported every step of the way.
