Ouch. Looks like you're stuck.. Maybe mods should sticky this post as a reason people should get travel insurance? It's not expensive and is a real boon sometimes..
Everybody I know (myself included) thought that medical emergency is something which is always refundable.
Or a reason why not to use amex.
I was actually very surprised when I learnt this I was under the impression as were many other ppl I spoke to that Amex would be the best. I was def wrong. Afaik this is something chase
would cover. (I dealt with them last year with a last minute cancellation & it seemed like insurance would cover but ended getting refund from airline).
Spoke to the desk in the airport today they said they can't do anything but I should call the airline & ask for customer relations & submit a claim or he gave me an email that deals with agency booking. I'll try & report back what works.