C'mon, Flyertalkers. Remember who we are.

If it is at all possible, these folks should drag themselves on to their original return. They should book another round trip from their home to the cancer center that provides a flight from home to the cancer center in time to be present for the next treatment. That way, they will get the miles for both R/Ts. Of course, if the medical treatments prevent flights, they cannot do this, but I suspect that they do not, as AA is usually pretty good about being flexible in those cases.

To the OP - sorry your friends are having to go through this ordeal. If their doctor says that they (or rather, the one receiving treatments) should not travel due to risk of medical complications due to flight, ask for a letter and try that with AA.