My name is Linda and it has been 5 years since my diagnosis of bladder cancer at age 47. After a continuous urinary infection that would not go away and several trips to the doctor a scope of my bladder showed that I had a very large malignant tumor.  I had 6 months of chemotherpy(strong chemo as I had a very rare type of small cell carcinoma) prior to surgery Where they removed my bladder, and also my tubes and ovaries. I had no uterus due to a prior surgery. I then had 4 more months of chemotherapy. I am now down to yearly catscans. I feel very fortunate to overcome this with fantastic doctors, family ,friends and God. I no longer take any thing for granted and feel life in itself is a gift.