The Bendigo Health oncology nurse has spent 15 years in her job but is now battling cholangio carcinoma.

Having gone through chemotherapy, Kath has also just completed radiation therapy.

She said her experience as a nurse has helped her face the prognosis of her cancer.

"A lot of (my experience) does help. I have a greater understanding of the road ahead," she said.

"But it has opened my eyes to aspects we don't see as nurses. Not just the physical aspect but there are so many things a patient has to contend with before they get to treatment.

"It's not just about getting there for treatment, so many other aspects to take on board."

Cholangio carcinoma is a form of liver cancer and something Kath says does not usually have a good prognosis.

"Initially they give you about a 50 per cent chance over five years," she said.

"I was diagnosed and had my first surgery in 2016. That cured it but it has come back.

"But just because it's cancer doesn't mean it's the end. You want to utilise what life you have left and not waste it."

Kath has been able to take a majority of her treatments in her place of work, something she is grateful for.

"All my treatments are in Bendigo," she said. "It was more comforting for me, I felt like I was among family.

"After working together so long, I wouldn't want to go anywhere else."

On Sunday, Kath was rewarded with a surprise day out by her friend.

It ended with her featuring on Channel 10 program Chris & Julia's Sunday Night Takeaway where she was awarded with two tickets on a cruise to New Zealand.

"We had done massages in Melbourne, and turned up at my daughters," Kath said. "I thought we were there for tea but I was dumbfounded when I could see Emma's lounge on the television."

"I couldn't absorb it all and I cried. I just couldn't believe how much work had gone into it. That Trudy, my friend and work colleague had got together with my daughter (to organise it).

"I felt very loved."

The cruise will span 13 days and visit New Zealand, two things Kath has always wanted to do.

"It's like I've got two thing ticked off the bucket list," she said.

"It's amazing. It's something you see other people get, it's not something that happens to yourself.

"For someone around you to have gone to that much effort, I still cant believe it."

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