WHAT ARE THE CHANCES…

I did what most of us do when we’re in a pinch—I spiraled a bit. I kept thinking, How am I going to find a doctor? How do I know if they’re good? How do I make an appointment if I don’t speak Spanish? I didn’t do anything for a couple days because I was overwhelmed

Then I remembered something. Back in the U.S., I had used a telemedicine service to handle my thyroid refills. So I thought: Maybe there’s something like that here too? Turns out, there was. I Googled a telemedicine platform that serves Mexico and found one with service in Morelia

I signed up online and set my appointment. Everything was in English, which helped ease my nerves. They told me the doctor would reach out through WhatsApp—a tool I had just downloaded a few days earlier after an OXXO clerk encouraged me to get it.

Good thing I did.

The doctor contacted me right on time, introduced himself, and asked a few questions about my situation. I told him what medication I took (natural thyroid, not synthetic) and even had a photo of my bottle—thanks to my daughter. I sent it over.

He was honest: natural thyroid meds aren’t as widely available in Mexico. But he said if I was open to alternatives like Synthroid, we could get started right away. While we were chatting, he kept researching and—surprise!—he found a pharmacy nearby that actually carried my brand under a different name.

He sent the prescription image directly to my phone and told me I could walk into any pharmacy with it.

Getting the Prescription Filled in Mexico

I walked into the pharmacy, showed the image on my phone, and the woman at the counter just nodded. She turned around, grabbed the medication, and took me to the register. No clipboard. No paperwork. No insurance cards. Just me, my phone, and 600 pesos (~$30 USD).

And here’s the kicker—the prescription didn’t have an expiration date. I’ve been refilling it every month using that same photo. No appointments, no new forms, just the same simple process each time.

Lessons I Took Away

There are a few things I’d do differently next time (like keeping my meds in the pile of “go now” items). But the bigger lesson? Breathe. Slow down. Think creatively. There’s often an easier solution than you first imagine, especially in places where systems just work differently.

The ease of filling a prescription surprised me, but so did the way WhatsApp has become the heartbeat of communication here. It’s not just how people chat—it’s how they book appointments, order water, and stay connected.

And yes… that’s what we’re diving into next week. Ever wondered how folks in Mexico get their drinking water, gas refills, or trash service? Let’s just say I took a few cold showers before I figured it all out

Thanks for being here.