"Cherish every moment. You take things for granted and you never know what is around the corner".
Those are the words of Washington mum Wendy Carrington, who has been left devastated after her teenage daughter Jenna was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
It was just six days before Christmas when the 38-year-old dropped Jenna off at school like it was any other morning.
But hours later she received a phone call at work saying the 14-year-old was being rushed to hospital after falling and hitting her face on the floor during a result of a seizure.
Wendy said: "I dropped her off at school on the morning and she seemed absolutely fine. She seemed fit and healthy.
"Then to see her in hospital was just devastating. She had a lump on her head and a black eye on her right side.
"She couldn’t sit up, she could barely speak and didn’t know where she was. It was heartbreaking to see."
It was not the first time the Oxclose Community Academy pupil had experienced a seizure. Wendy and stepdad Mark Costello had taken her to the doctors a number of times following a couple of episodes just weeks before.
Jenna, who wants to be a nurse when she grows up, had also been suffering with severe migraines and at one stage had pins and needles down one side of her body.
However, doctors put her symptoms down to anxiety and stress - which never sat right with the loving parents.
While at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Jenna had another fit and was rushed down for a CT scan. But the results meant the family's lives would change forever.
Wendy, a call centre worker, said: "The seizures we were thinking could have been linked to epilepsy or diabetes. And then when we got the news from the CT scan I just couldn’t believe it. They told us there was a shadow on her brain and it looked like a tumour."
Jenna was transferred to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary the following day and underwent an MRI scan and a biopsy. It was then when the extent of the bubbly youngster's condition was revealed.
She was diagnosed with an inoperable and aggressive cancerous brain tumour, which sent shockwaves through the family.
Wendy added: "It was heartbreaking to hear. You see people in these positions but never in a million years do you expect it to be your own child.
"We found out she'd had the tumour for only a few months before going into hospital."
During the biopsy, a shunt was also implanted into her brain to relieve the pressure caused by fluid accumulation.
Jenna left hospital on December 23, meaning the family were able to spend a special Christmas together at their Washington home.
"Christmas was good for Jenna," said Wendy. "We were so grateful to have her home for Christmas. Everyone was so excited she had come back. It was made magical for her and she was spoilt rotten."
Jenna began her intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy on Wednesday with the hope of slowing the progress of the tumour's growth.
Despite her condition, Jenna is remaining positive.
She said: “I don’t want to think about it in a bad way otherwise I’ll just upset myself.”
Mother-of-three Wendy is proud of her teenage daughter's bravery and says the diagnosis has given her a fresh outlook on life.
She said: "Jenna's been amazing. She is probably the bravest little girl I know. I don’t think many people in her age group would take news such as this the way she has.
"Our world has been turned upside down and we’re trying to stay positive. Taking each day as it comes.
"I would urge people to not regret anything. Cherish every moment you have. You take things for granted.
"Going through life you don’t think of things like this and when this happens it gives you a massive perspective on life. You never know what is around the corner. Anything can happen.
"This has come out of the blue and no one can explain to us why or how. Words can't describe the way we felt that day and continue to do so."
Mark got in touch with the Bradley Lowery Foundation and the charity has kindly donated a box at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland's match against Bristol Rovers next month.
It is perfect for big Sunderland fan Jenna, but not so much for dedicated NUFC supporter Mark.
So for one day only, he has vowed to swap his beloved black and white for the red and white of Newcastle's rivals as part of a fundraising drive for money to spend on filling Jenna's life with as many happy memories as possible.
A total of £3,200 has been raised in just a matter of days, with the family hoping to make her dream come true by going to Disney Land in Florida.
The 34-year-old, who works for the RNIB charity, said: "What they have said is that with it being the type of tumour it is they can stun it to stop it growing, but within eight to 18 months it will start growing again.
"It's just keeping it at bay at the moment. We are just keeping busy and trying to do a lot with Jenna.
"She's just a very warm, friendly, loving and giving girl. We want to create precious memories together as a family."
Locals have also united to organise a range of events for Jenna, including boyfriend Bobby who has organised a boxing event and former football teammates at Washington AFC.
Wendy said: "We're really overwhelmed by the huge response in short space of time. People have been so generous and are giving their time and money out of the goodness of their hearts.
"Jenna’s such a lovely lass and everyone knows how loving and caring she is so they want to help.
"She's always wanted to be a nursery nurse or work with children in hospital. She gets on really great with little kids. She's like a little mum.
"It's just really really unfair."
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/make-me-a-mackem-for-jenna or www.gofundme.com/f/jump-for-jenna
