I went through this in the spring when my wife's grandmother died. AA offered nothing beyond the usual rates, which were incredibly expensive. I called around and was offered a very inexpensive ticket from united, something like 1/3rd or 1/2 of the best I could find on their website; in addition, when we needed to change our return, they accommodated us without any kind of hassle or charge. Regrettably, this is an issue on which AA falls short. (re: the above posts, I do not know if the same service would have been provided for an illness/nonfatal emergency.)

I join in everyone here in wishing your partner a speedy recovery.