did you tell her to check partners?
Air France, KLM, Continental, Alitalia...
use the nwa.com search engine to put together a route, then call in with what you want. You will never get the flights you need if you just tell the agent, I need to go XXX-YYY. Put together a route and spoonfeed.
Better yet, if you find a route online, transfer your miles and book on nwa.com
But I do agree, its a bit early for March 2010, but your problem seems to be getting out of Tuscon, there are plenty of overwater Y and C segments to Rome on your dates