It must have been hard to see him go. Don't feel at all bad about wondering how you'll cope with the kids alone. All of us here with multiple kids would be feeling the same thing. Three small children can be a supreme challenge to even the healthiest of people, but as we know ibs adds yet another challenge. When I have to be alone with the kids or travel alone with them I eat super safe. Even if that means surviving on the same two or three things every day. It is bland, but gives me some peace of mind anyway. I hope that you can get some help from relatives during these weeks. My guess is that you will find strength you didn't even know you had and you'll find a way to make it work.