Buddy Valastro is making strides in his recovery.
A year after suffering a gruesome hand injury, the Food Network star shared a hopeful update during Monday’s episode of “The Rachael Ray Show.”
“I’d say we’re about 95 (percent), which if that’s as good as it’s going to get Rachael, I’ll take it,” Valastro said about his healing progress while decorating a three-tier cake.
Though he acknowledged that the journey wasn’t easy, Valastro said the last year was nonetheless “an amazing ride.”
“And the fact that I’m able to still do what I love — like doing that last season of ‘Buddy vs. Duff,’ it was amazing because of the fact that I could still do it.”
In response, Ray quipped, “You know, once you get over a certain age, 95 percent, we’ll take it for anything. Our memory, our body, our back — if we’re at 95 percent, we’re good.”
In April, Valastro previously told Ray he got “about 75% of my strength back” following his hand injury.
‘I’ve got about 75% of my strength back’:‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro gives Rachael Ray an update on his hand
Original story:‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro’s hand impaled during ‘terrible accident’ at home bowling alley
“I’m feeling good. My hand is coming along. I had my fifth surgery about a month ago,” Valastro said at the time, calling it a “huge success.”
“Now I definitely have a lot more of my mobility back, so I can make a whole fist, I can make all my fingers straight, and I’ve got about 75% of my strength back,” he continued as Ray cheered him on.
Last year, Carlo’s Bakery spokesperson Michael Ciullo told USA TODAY the famed pastry chef’s right hand was repeatedly impaled by a “metal rod” during a “malfunction with the bowling pinsetter” at the bowling alley in his New Jersey home.
Months later, Valastro showed gratitude for the doctors who saved his hand in December with the only way he knows how – by baking a cake. Hebuilt a replica of New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery out of cake in “immense appreciation” of the staff’s efforts toward his recovery.
“Check out the super special cake I made for Dr. Michelle Carlson, the nurses and staff at @hspecialsurgery as a token of my immense appreciation!” he captioned several Instagram photos on Dec. 30 of the massive cake, which featured a hand cake topper.
“I could never thank them enough for all they have done to help me on this journey to a full recovery,” Valastro added.
Photos!:Buddy Valastro thanks doctors who saved hand with giant hospital cake replica
Contributing: Cydney Henderson
