The 69-year-old is receiving treatment at Bendigo Hospital for metastatic bowel cancer, a terminal illness.

A zest for life coupled with praise to all who don't go looking for it offers a bright spot in what are dark times for many.

Ms Alexander and her husband Rob live on 16 acres in Walmer, where they have raised two children.

Ms Alexander's condition means that she is at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus than others in the community and has been largely confined to her home for more than a month.

"I haven't been off the property since March 13, except for treatment," she said.

Ms Alexander is full of praise for her husband, who has stepped up in a big way since the virus began.

"Rob is amazing," she said.

A former teacher at Catherine McAuley College, Ms Alexander has seen some familiar faces on the ward.

"Some of the faces are very familiar and they're all just beautiful people," she said.

The coronavirus pandemic hasn't threatened to slow Ms Alexander down and she remains as engaged as ever in her favourite hobby.

A member of the Maldon Patchworkers, Ms Alexander says group recently met for the first time via Zoom video conference.

"They have always been really supportive, particularly when I was first diagnosed," Ms Alexander said.

"People were bringing over casseroles and all sorts of wonderful things that friends do."

Ms Alexander started receiving treatment at Bendigo Hospital since early 2019, after becoming symptomatic for bowel cancer in 2018.

"I first started to worry in May 2018 when there were symptoms and I knew that I needed to do something," Ms Alexander said.

She hasn't thought twice about making the trip to Bendigo for treatment, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

"When you come to the hospital now, you have to follow the social distancing rules," Ms Alexander said.

"There are people with hand sanitiser and there are all sorts of changes."

Ms Alexander refers to her experience and the oncology team at Bendigo Health in glowing terms.

"The care that I've received and I do receive from the nurses hasn't changed though," she said.

Telehealth services are now in full swing, with oncology patients such as Ms Alexander using the service.

"I now have telehealth consultations with oncologist Rob Blum," she said.

"The first time I did it, I was upside down on his screen."

While thankful for technology, Ms Alexander says there is no substitute for seeing a doctor in person.

"I miss the personal contact and the physical presence of a patient and doctor being in a room," she said.

Acting oncology unit manager Tamara Williams says the department has been mindful of reducing the number of times patients need to visit the service.

"We offer patients flu vaccinations when they come in for their chemotherapy treatments," Ms Williams said.

"That means patients don't have to make a trip to their local GP.

Ms Williams says the department is eager to tell to patients that it is important to seek care and treatment, if it is needed.

"We have coronavirus specific advice for cancer patients and information packs to reassure patients," Ms Williams said.