Living With Cancer

Join Us on the Third Thursday of the Month

The monthly support group meetings occur on the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm.  The support groups are free, but those interested in joining must register by clicking here or calling 614-884-HOPE (4673).

Meet Jean Tidd, LISW-S, SAP

Clinical Mental Health Therapist

Jean Tidd, LISW-S, SAP, leads the Living with Cancer support groups. Jean has been a social worker for nearly 30 years and has worked in both urban and rural settings helping folks address myriad issues. Currently Jean works full-time as a mental health therapist in a private practice in Columbus. She grew up in Marietta and her father commuted daily to and retired from what once was the Gould/Clevite/Glacier Vandervell plant in Noble County. Jean’s grandparents lived in Cambridge, and in fact, Jean is the great great granddaughter of Arthur J. Bennet, who founded the Cambridge Glass Company in 1873, and the great-granddaughter of Wilbur Orme, who oversaw the historical glass factory until it closed in 1958.

Jean attended college at Ohio University and got her master’s degree at The Ohio State University. Jean has been an adjunct lecturer at several of the smaller OSU campuses, including Marion and Newark. Needless to say, Jean considers this whole area home. Perhaps the most important experience Jean shares is that she, too, is a cancer survivor. Five years ago, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and after being successfully treated with chemotherapy and radiation, she remains cancer free. Jean is committed to helping ensure support for cancer survivors and caregivers is accessible in southeastern Ohio.

Jean Tidd, LISW-S, SAP

Clinical Mental Health Therapist

Hearing the words “You have cancer” can bring on many emotions that may be difficult to cope with.

When you first learn you have cancer, you may feel like your life is out of control – you may wonder how long you will live or how your normal routine will be disrupted. You will probably have questions about the type of cancer you have and what treatment will be like, and you may not understand the medical terms people use. You may feel isolated and alone and not know what to do next.

It is common to experience a wide range of emotions you’re not used to dealing with; those feelings may change daily or even hourly. This is true whether you’re currently in treatment, finished with treatment, or many years into survivorship. There is no right or wrong way to feel.

While there is no single prescription for gaining an emotional or mental edge over cancer, there are several ways to take steps to regain control. Some people may turn to family members to find support. But even the most supportive family members and friends cannot understand exactly what it feels like unless they have received a cancer diagnosis themselves. Another way is to join a professionally led support group.

In a support group, you will be surrounded by others with cancer who can relate to your experiences and feelings. Group members can feel more comfortable sharing feelings and experiences that may be too difficult or too awkward to share with their family and friends. Being part of a group often creates a sense of belonging that helps each person feel more understood and less alone.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience that comes with many questions and concerns. Joining a support group like this one can help patients find answers and connect with others who are having similar experiences.