San Antonio girl relies on her "super powers" to fight cancer

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A young San Antonio girl now in Houston for cancer treatment relies on her "super powers" and "Wonder Woman" for strength and inspiration.

You might remember Sophia Sandoval, 3, in her little Wonder Woman costume holding a sign that said "My last day of chemo. It was tough but I was tougher." Sophia had brain cancer.

"She is a super hero. That's what she says. I'm a super hero and these are my super powers," said her mother, Rossio Sandoval.

The photo got hundreds of thousands of likes on social media and the attention of the original Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter.

Things were good until June and one phone call telling Sophia's mother the brain tumor was back.

Now Sophia is in Houston getting radiation treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, still wearing her Wonder Woman costume. At the hospital, the Wonder Womand theme music is her radiation soundtrack.

"She's like no, I'm Wonder Woman so everybody calls her Wonder Woman now," Rossio said.

Eyewitness News caught up with Sophia on the playground at the Ronald McDonald House Houston where the family is staying. She had just had a treatment and then a nap and was understandably cranky but active.

"That's how she is. She's strong," said Rossio.

"She inspires me and gives me strength to keep going because it's hard," Ricky Sandoval, Sophia's father added.

Her parents say it's their faith and her imagination that have helped.

"There's no medicine at the house. It's super powers. If she is taking something (medicine), it's super power that's going to help get her better or run faster like a super hero," her mother said.

After all, Wonder Woman always prevails.

"I see myself at her 16th birthday party, throwing her a big party," her father said with her mother adding. "I know this is something that will be a part of the past someday."

In the meantime, Sophia's 4th birthday is coming up November 18th. Her parents say she loves getting letters in the mail. If you would like to lift her spirits you can send a letter or card to her in c/o Ronald McDonald House, 1907 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030

You can find more information and follow Sophia's journey at the Team Sophia Facebook page.