Boston ( CNN ) -- For Erika Brannock , Monday was a long time coming -- 50 days in fact . That 's how long she was hospitalized after bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon ripped apart her legs . She was the last of the more than 250 victims from that attack to be released . `` I leave here today -- after 11 surgeries , some pretty dark moments , and 50 days in this hospital -- with nothing but admiration for this great city , '' said Brannock , who was treated at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston . On the day of the marathon , she , her sister and her brother-in-law had gone to watch Brannock 's mother run . They were standing near the finish line when the bombs went off . Video shows Tsarnaevs at gym days before attack . `` I fell backwards , and I could see oranges and yellows , '' Brannock told CNN 's AC360 on Monday . `` I could hear the sirens and people crying and screaming . But I never heard the actual boom . '' `` I had a conversation with God in my head , and I told him I was n't ready to go . '' Just at that moment , a woman crawled over to Brannock and grabbed her hand . She used her belt as a tourniquet on Brannock 's leg . `` She had heard me screaming for help and she said , 'My name is Joan from California , and I 'm not going to let you go . ' And she stayed with me the whole time . '' In runners ' tent and ER , a rush to save limbs and lives . Brannock , 29 , credits this mystery woman with saving her life . She desperately wants to find and thank her . She also praises her medical team . Brannock , a preschool teacher from Maryland , suffered severe bone and tissue damage , requiring the amputation of her lower left leg . `` I would not be here today without the talent and devotion of my care team , as well as the first responders and the marathon spectator -- who I only know as 'Joan from California ' -- wherever you are -- you saved my life , '' she said . Sister of boy killed at Boston Marathon released from hospital . 'We will thrive again ' The double bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15 killed three people and injured at least 264 . Brannock 's sister , Nicole Gross , had a broken leg and remained hospitalized for 33 days . Her sister 's husband suffered cuts , bruises and burns . Dancer 's foot destroyed , but not her spirit . `` Although we had three family members injured , our family remains intact . We not only survived , but we will thrive again , even though our lives have been changed forever , '' said Brannock . The road to recovery is long and sometimes difficult . She kept a picture above her hospital bed of a dragonfly , which she said was a symbol of strength , courage and getting through hard times . She described the creature as her mascot . After disasters , hospitals pay it forward . Brannock started having nightmares after she learned that surviving bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was at the same hospital as her . She dreamed he was going to blow up Beth Israel . Back in Maryland , Brannock will start physical therapy and will have to learn how to walk with a prosthetic leg . But she says she is up to the task . `` I can get through anything , '' Brannock said . Nurses and doctors lined the hallway Monday as she left the hospital , cheering and clapping . She gave a high five to one . Next on deck ? Brannock plans to finish a master 's degree in early childhood education and return to teaching in the fall . `` I will use what I 've learned to pay it forward , '' she said . `` Thank you Boston . Thank you everyone . I 'm ready to go home . '' Fire chief resigns after criticism of bombing response . Randi Kaye and David Puente reported from Boston ; Dana Ford wrote this report from Atlanta . Watch Anderson Cooper 360° weeknights 10pm ET . For the latest from AC360° click here .
Erika Brannock is the last of the more than 250 victims released . The family has been told that they will be allowed to return home on Wednesday and have a chance to say goodbye before being taken back into custody. `` I will use what I 've learned to pay it forward , '' Brannock says . She plans to finish a master 's degree and return to teaching in the fall .