Van Zyl explains her journey from feeling she was on "death row" to living life to the full again.
What was the feeling like when you were first diagnosed with cancer?
When I was first diagnosed, I was in total denial and shock. I refused to take the breast cancer booklet from the doctor. It was very hard to accept what was happening and I couldn't even say the words "breast cancer".
Can you describe what the chemo and treatment was like?
I just wanted to get the treatment over and done with. I was very scared going into the "dreaded treatment" that you hear about so much. I cried through every chemo session. I couldn't stand the drugs being pumped into me, which left me icy cold and very nauseous.
It must have been awful when the cancer came back for a second time? Can you tell me about that difficult time?
Waiting to hear test results when I discovered another lump was like sitting on death row. One of the hardest parts was telling my husband the cancer was back. Knowing that I had only just come through it and having to do it all again was my worst nightmare coming true.
What has been the hardest part of this battle?
Chemo sucks the soul out of you and after the relentless treatments I wondered if I would ever be me again. I had lost "me". My soul had become tired, I struggled to get excited about anything and my real smile had gone. The drugs had turned me into a walking zombie.
Who have been your rocks in getting through this?
One good thing through the whole ordeal is the many amazing people you get to meet along the way. I couldn't fault any single nurse that nursed me and held my hand when I was so afraid of another needle being stuck into my arm.
My husband, Philip, was a gift from heaven. He was there with me through every single doctor's appointment, testing, chemo, and taking care of me at home when all I wanted to do was sleep. People don't seem to realise how much the smallest gesture of kindness is appreciated. Mums from school would bake biscuits for us, and even though they thought it was nothing, it meant so much to us as a family.
I understand that swimming has played a big role in your recovery, can you explain that?
I wanted to be the "old me" again and knew I needed to get back to getting fit and strong again. Doing exercises made me feel normal again. When my colleague at work said she was going to do the Harbour Crossing I knew that could be my chance to really prove that I could still take on a positive challenge.
Cancer survivor finds her soul again
I swam competitively as a child. I was good at sprints like 50m and 100m. I came fifth in South Africa for 50m backstroke when I was 12. I stopped swimming competitively after that, but have always been active with other sports such as hockey, aerobics, running, short triathlons.
What do you enjoy about swimming?
I grew up in Durban, South Africa, which has a very hot, humid temperature, which meant I was always in the water, either a swimming pool or the beach. I feel alive and free in the water, and it's where I belong.
How has your training gone for the State Harbour Crossing?
I train three times a week at the Takapuna Leisure Centre and started with doing 1km, then 1.5km and now 2km. My arms ached so much when I first started but I taught myself to breathe on both sides, as the long-distance swimming was causing my arm to take a lot of strain. I have also had a go swimming in the sea, to get some practice swimming in a wetsuit.
After what you have been through, what will it be like when you hit the finish line?
The sense of achievement for me personally will be fantastic and it will also be my way of saying thank you to Philip for nursing me back to health again, and showing him that I am my old self again.
What advice do you offer to other people who are looking to overcome cancer?
No matter how dark things can get - and they get really, really dark - there is always light at the end. Never ever give up! Bad situations never last forever - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
