Even though Heidegger assumed Rufus had perished in the attack, as he couldn’t reach him by phone (naturally – Diamond WEAPON’s attack would have destroyed the phone lines to Rufus’ office), he probably would have been so badly injured that it would have taken several years to recuperate -a recovery that would take even longer, due to being struck down with Geostigma in FFVIIAC and was confined to a wheelchair.
But that is just an assumption on my part.
i realise this is mainly repeated what enkidoh has said but.