This is why I never do multi-city
I only do one stop and back. The multi-city thing takes so much time and energy. But most of all, it's stressful. It's a very unpleasant thing to do, in my opinion.
For instance a MR SFO-JFK (upgraded on the p.s. fligt to c) gets you over 10,000 EQM's with the bonus. The cost of the ticket: $219.
For someone in your situation, I would have done ORD-SFO and back. Just do them every other weekend; no need to do it all at once. If you have the time & money, do ORD-FRA or ORD-LHR and turn around. That is a great MR with huge mileage potential.
Sorry it was hectic, but your story is the very reason that I never do multi-city MR's.