Two problems with my two daughters? Mothers help!?

My wife is in Mexico helping at an orphanage. She left this morning. We have 2 daughters (6 and 8) and I am watching them of course. She is gone for 6 days. Our night had been good so far until my 8 year old go their period. My wife hasn't had the talk with her yet so my daughter panicked. I tried the best that I could to explain to her about it and I put her in the bath tub. I searched through my wife's stuff and found a pad or whatever and tried my best to put it in for her. There isn't too much blood but enough to scare her. She then complained about a bad stomach ache (cramps) and a head ache so I gave her children's advil and held snuggled her for a while (she was crying). Then my 6 year old came by and said that she missed her mom and was crying. Have I done the right thing? I put my 8 year old in front of the TV to get her mind of her stomach and tried to calm the 6 year old down. I rocked her, I tried distracting her by playing with her, I've held her, I've read to her but she won't quit whining about it and crying. She is currently whimpering on my lap and the 8 year old still isn't feeling well. What can I do this about this? I can't call my wife. How can I get my 6 year old to stop crying? Any suggestions? Will she be like this for the whole week? Is it abnormal for the 8 year old to be having her period?