Ah thank you for the LCHF info, I will have to look into that as so far I haven't co e across it at all.
You must have very good genes in your family, well done to your Uncle!! My maternal grandmother had diabetes type 1 she was diagnosed in the late 50s as far as I remember, but her diabetes seemingly went undiagnosed it seems a long time, she was so ill that she lost her sight and had one leg amputated. Her physical condition used to put the fear of God in me I'm afraid. So when I became diabetic at the age of 18, I actually thought that was it! Her sister (my great Aunt, had diabetes type 2 - and controlled it with tablets). So on my diagnosis I did go a bit crazy those first few years, as I thought "live for today" .....although like you I have never missed an injection and thank goodness I have never had DKA.
When I was first diagnosed it was just one injection a day, and urine testing, which I hardly ever did, as I thought it most "disgusting" in my total ignorance. My mum, bless her, was very good, she learned so much about the condition and helped with diet etc, I used to have the first diet sheet from those days which strictly forbade Pasta!! But back then pasta was a rarity anyway. Cheese was very encouraged however, and I went from someone who never liked cheese to eating a lot of it.
When I look back so much has changed for the better, diabetic life back then seemed to a rebellious teenager like me, to be way too much restricted.
I have said this before on here, but my diabetic team at the hospital are just so wonderful, and since doing the New Deal course (I live in Scotland, it's Dafne in England I believe) I have learned so much more.
The diabetes teams in my past, well some were ok and some were just downright awful. When I was pregnant with my third baby, in 1988, I was told by a diabetic specialist nurse, I really shouldn't have got pregnant as a third baby was such a risk to my health. When we discussed this at the New Deal course the DSNs couldn't believe a nurse would say such a thing.
Like you it's hard to recall life without diabetes, apart from I was always able to eat what I liked, and never put on any weight. Whereas once I became diabetic that seemed to change. I'm only half a stone over correct weight for my height, but would really like to lose those 7 pounds.
I would also add the blood test kits today and the pens, and tiny needles, have all made such a difference to my life.
I recently turned down the offer of a pump, mainly because at present its all going ok, but I know the offer is still there for in the future. At present, I find my pens flexible, as after the New Deal education I do my fast acting Novorapid after I've eaten to allow me to count the carbs.
Sorry if I have gone on a bit, and maybe off topic, but I know few diabetics and it's nice to share with like minded people.