Boston bombing victim Roseann Sdoia was released from hospital today, escorted home by the same members of the city's Fire Department who rushed her there in the height of the tragedy.
'They brought me here, they're taking me home,' the brave 45-year-old said of heroic men at a press conference today.
Sdoia lost most of her right leg in the second of two blasts at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, and has been in hospital since, recovering from the amputation as well as severe burns and bruises.
Mike Meteria was part of a group of first responders who brought Sdoia to the hospital on April 15.
The same first responders were on hand for Sdoia's departure from the Boston hospital, and before they left, Meteria lifted her up in a big bear hug.
She was initially in Massachusetts General Hospital before she was transferred to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the city's Charlestown section where she underwent three hours of physical therapy a day.
Friends and family have praised the North End resident for maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor throughout the life-changing ordeal.
In response to a recent sarcastic comment made by her brother-in-law, she quipped, 'If I could kick you, I would.'
Sdoia, vice president of real estate firm National Development and avid Boston Red Sox fan, had just seen the baseball team play at nearby Fenway Park when rushed to catch the end of the marathon.
'That first bomb went off, and I thought it was a little off because I've been there before and they've never had cannons or anything loud like that,' she told Lowellsun.com.
'And then it was chaotic after that.'
About 12 seconds later, the second bomb went off and Sdoia went down but she wasn't knocked out.
'I felt that if I lost consciousness, I was gonna die,' she said. 'So I told myself to keep breathing and stay awake as long as I could.'
After the bombs went off a 'guardian angel' used a belt as a make-shift tourniquet for her badly injured leg. Sdoia credits that man, who she describes as dark-haired and in his twenties, for saving her life.
'He just ran over to save a stranger,' she said of the hero, who was later revealed to be a Northeastern University student. 'If he hadn't, I wouldn't have lived.'
Her sister, Gia Buckley, and other friends have been amazed at Sdoia's spirit.
Her close friend Amy Dowe even said, 'I know this sounds kind of ridiculous, but she actually has a twinkle in her eye.'
The woman, who has been described as fun, outgoing and a consummate traveler, said herself that she's been able to start mentally moving on from the bombings, even if she's physically worse off.
'Everyone's scarred in some form or fashion, whether it's physically or mentally,' Sdoia said. 'I'm physically injured but mentally I've been able to move on, or at least I think I'm moving on.'
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| Pictured with Shores Salter (r) the college student credited with saving her life |
According to Buckley when Sdoia moved to the North End neighborhood of Boston she 'assigned herself the goal of eating at every single restaurant.'
While recovering at the hospital, Sdoia has been inundated with friends and family members.
'I don't think the hospital intensive care unit has ever seen so many people,' her sister said.
Sdoia has also spoken to news program '20/20.'
During her interview she mentioned she was able to connect with Bree McMahon, 21, who lost her leg after a car accident in 2009 but currently plays Division II soccer.
A recovery fund for Sdoia set up by her friends and family has raised over $362,000 so far.
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