New Mexico State Football Coach’s Wife Diagnosed with Breast Cancer at 31, Spurs Support and Be Brave Mantra
Nate Dreiling, the defensive coordinator for New Mexico State’s football team, and his wife Alexa, are facing a new challenge that surpasses the realm of football. Alexa, just 31 years old, has been diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. While this aggressive form of cancer is certainly a hurdle to overcome, the Dreilings are motivated to stay brave and positive throughout this difficult time.
The couple first met during their college years at Pittsburg State in Kansas, where they were both standout athletes. Fast forward several years, and the Dreilings now have three children and a busy life navigating the world of college coaching, with Nate’s career taking them to different stops across the country.
Amidst the excitement of New Mexico State joining Conference USA, the family received the news that shifted their focus entirely. Alexa discovered a lump while breastfeeding their youngest child, Baisley. Initially thinking it was a clogged duct or mastitis, she eventually sought medical attention after it persisted for several weeks. On August 10th, the official diagnosis came: HER2-positive breast cancer.
Fortunately, the cancer was caught in its early stages, thanks to Alexa being proactive about her health due to her recent pregnancy. The doctor emphasized that without this awareness, the cancer might have gone undetected for approximately ten more years.
Alexa, drawing from her athletic background, has formulated a game plan to face the upcoming treatments. The road ahead involves four months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery. At only 31 years old, Alexa is almost a decade younger than the recommended age for women to begin mammogram screenings. Despite the mental turmoil she experiences, she remains positive, focusing on being strong for her children and ensuring their lives continue as normally as possible.
The Dreilings have been overwhelmed by the incredible support they’ve received from their extended family within the NMSU coaching staff, who have stepped up to make meals and offer help at home. Strangers near and far have reached out to show their support as well, proving that in difficult times, it truly takes a village.
University of New Mexico coach, Danny Gonzales, even expressed his condolences during a press conference, highlighting the unity and empathy within the coaching community. The outpouring of positive outreach has been a source of strength for the Dreilings, making them feel supported and uplifted.
During this challenging period, the Dreiling family has rallied around two simple words: Be Brave. These words came from their three-year-old daughter, Baylor, who unknowingly provided her mother with a pep talk before her doctor’s appointment. Hearing her mother’s worries, Baylor whispered in her ear, reminding her to be brave. From that moment on, Be Brave became their mantra as they faced this new chapter in their lives.
The phrase Be Brave has now garnered significant symbolic weight and unity within the New Mexico State football team. Many coaches and players wear pink wristbands displaying this rallying cry, representing their solidarity with Alexa and her fight against breast cancer. The idea for the wristbands came from one of the coach’s wives.
As Alexa prepares to commence her chemotherapy next week, the Dreilings are determined to overcome this battle. Once she is cured, they plan on giving back to breast cancer research and patients worldwide, although the specifics are yet to be determined. For now, the family is ready to fight with all their might, knowing that they have the unwavering support of those around them.
More than anything, Alexa finds strength in the fact that her three-year-old daughter could impart words of wisdom that she herself had often shared with Baylor. To be encouraged to be brave by her young child is a humbling and powerful reminder of the resilience and love within their family.
The Dreiling family’s journey serves as an inspiration to many others facing similar challenges. Their story reflects the importance of unity, support, and the determination to face adversity head-on. With their unwavering bravery, the Dreilings are lighting the way for others going through difficult times, reminding us all to be brave in the face of adversity and to cherish the strength that lies within us.
