Woman, 28, Was Giving Birth to Her Second Baby When Midwives Made a Startling Discovery. Now, She Has Months to Live (Exclusive)

When it comes to how she juggles motherhood with dealing with her illness, Alex, who worked as a children’s nurse, says it isn’t an easy feat.

“I miss doing the simple things for my children, as I am so tired and in pain. I struggle to pick up my children, to take my daughter to daycare, to make them dinner,” she says. “All the things you find boring in everyday life, I miss because I can’t do them anymore.”

Specifically, when it comes to her daughter, who is old enough to realize something is going on, Alex says, “She has good days and bad days, but on the whole she is handling this better than we expected.”

“We are getting a play therapist to help support her through this journey and make the process as easy as possible for her,” she continues. “When I lost my hair, she took this really well, and it didn’t faze her. She said I still look pretty even without hair. We try to include her in everything so nothing comes as a shock.”

Alex’s friends, Jessie, Becky, Lucy and Megan, have since set up a GoFundMe for her and her family. “The funds raised will go directly to them, and they will use this money however they feel is right,” the friends wrote on the fundraising page.

Now, Alex wants others to learn from her journey, and to always take their health seriously. “Even though my pap smear test was clear and I was vaccinated against HPV, I want everyone to make sure they are vaccinated against HPV and are up to date with their smears,” she tells PEOPLE. “I am upset that they have extended the smear to every five years and feel that they should be as regular as possible to catch this horrible disease. I know smears aren’t nice, but they only last a few minutes, and they can help prevent cancer.”

As for others who may be facing — or may face — a similar situation as hers, the Essex resident’s advice is: “Remain positive and spend as much time with your family making memories. On the good days, make the most of it — go out, take photos and make those memories.”

“Remaining positive is also crucial and keeps you going, but also take time for yourself and allow yourself to be upset and angry,” Alex adds. “You didn’t choose the diagnosis, but you have to make the most of a bad situation.”