Eheh, no problems with Italian, even if you don't speak it very well, you'll surely find someone who will help you, it's not a problem to find someone who speaks English in bigger towns, and Italians are usually very "open-minded" in helping foreign people, expecially when they are girls!
The best deal is to buy a new TIM card at an official TIM shop ("Il Telefonino", with red/blue TIM logo) with Codice Fiscale and Passport. They should ask you an Italian address too, give them the one of your hotel/apartment and there's no problem. They will activate it for you, no faxes and other stuff.
If you already have a TIM card go to the shop and ask them: "dovrei attivare questa scheda prepagata TIM, potete aiutarmi?" ("I shoud activate this prepaid TIM card, can you help me?") and if you make a big smile they should help you!