What should I do to prepare for my Lumpectomy & Rad treatments?

Hi Goldycat.... preparing for lumpectomy isn't too bad... I was more emotionally a wreck than I needed to be!  I just decided that it had to be done and I might as well go into it with a kick-butt attitude and go with the flow so to speak.  My experience was wonderful and the facility I go to is so good... I haven't met a grumpy or bit**y  person yet!  They are all angels..... As for afterwards, I felt so much better knowing that my cancer was out of me.  Of course I had to wait on the pathology reports  to verify that I had clean margins and such, but still it was one more step of the journey completed and the one I felt was the biggest step.  My lumpectomy was right side upper and very close to my nipple.  I did go and purchase a couple of new bras that were not underwire but still had sufficient padding.  I found the sports type ones held me better at first because any movement (jiggles lol ) and in bed when you roll from side to side etc. it is kinda sore for a few days....honestly I had very little actual pain... I would call it discomfort but not downright I can't stand this pain.... make sense? Anyway I wish you all the best and you will be fine!!!  I am also not having chemo but doing radiation.  I am still doing the research myself as to what to expect and what creams and such to buy so I don't have a lot to offer you about that yet.  I have only had my simulation appointment and I can tell you that that was painless and nothing to worry about.  I have also been to a medical oncologist and have already started taking aromasin and so far so good... I am having very little to no side effects with it and I say a prayer everday that I swallow the little thing that it does what it is supposed to do! I also agree with RMlulu... a sense of humor and a calm attitude is a  must.... I am trying to avoid all stress at this point and I can tell you that although this has been life changing to say the least... it has also been an eye opening experience (in a whirlwind fashion) that has made me "think" about a lot of things I was doing wrong and wasting my time worrying about.... I am trying to do "life" a little better each and every day.  At first I thought that I would never ever get my mind to settle down and go for even a few minutes without thinking about all of this stuff... it is so overwhelming the information that you get thrown at you.... but I am slowly learning to adjust.  I am anxious about my radiation starting in a few weeks but I have to go at it with the same attitude I had for surgery.  I am trying to be as prepared as I can and let it happen.  Good Luck to you and keep us posted!  You have my positive thoughts and support.