Thank you all! Feel both bashful and pleased now!
I think in some ways I've been 'lucky' in the sense that I've never, other than during pregnancy, become as prone to problems as some. Its knowing your stuff too, I agree, but sometimes that's not enough. I am proud of the fact that I manage it the way I have (I've done two Olympic distance triathlons, but also music festivals where I've drunk nothing but booze or water and eaten virtually nothing - and have never had a problem apart from once, three yrs ago at a wedding where they ran out of food, which isn't bad going if I do say so myself.) I think this is why I get so annoyed when medics (eg obstetricians or diabetic consultants who've never met me before) seem to automatically start from the stance of 'this patient needs to be taught the basics.' Trust me, this has happened a lot!
paddy I was told that my pump, equipment and the actual device, costs about £8000 year. This may explain why I've not known anyone self fund!
One tihing that's a pain in the arse (one of lots, I know) is losing weight / exercise. When I trained for the triathlon the amount I had to eat first was ridiculous. Hence, I may have got fitter but I certainly didn't look it! It's all very well saying I could lower my slow acting insulin (was on pens at the time) but it's not that simple. I didn't find it that simple lowering background with the pump either as it would have to be at least two hours before, after the right type of lunch etc.
As for losing weight (still have 2 stone baby weight to lose) I can't cut down things like bread / potatoes etc as easily as others or I go low. I have to be VERY organised about what I eat, when and so on but still sometimes need something extra. Lowering slow acting insulin means I run too high which freaks me out, and doing lots of exercise means I have to consume calories first anyway to get myself high so I don't lose that much that way either.
Oh the joys...