Bad news
Jenni
If at the end of the day you require an ATPL you are required to repass all exams; you dont need to do all the hours of training but you will need to sign up to a Ground School provider to get sign-off to repass all those exams
If you want a CPL/IR you only need to sit the IR exam
Why these exams expire so quickly is beyond me - more then likely to do with money and to force you to do the flight tests within a 36 month period to consolidate learning (or to encourage you to spend your money quickly)