To a degree I am in the same boat. I use a Big Game Stealth Deluxe ladder stand with a gun rest. I get up, lower the gun rest then turn around and sit down. Oddly, the gun rest wouldn't do much to keep me from falling if it came down to it, but gives me the confidence to turn and sit without worry.
true that..i found that going up and hangin my bow....then comin down to get my bag and goin up and puttin it up on stand, and then climbing in with-out holdin anything, makes me lighter, more maneuverable and alot more confident than being loaded down. definitely a rope holdin all that is nice, but when you never been there, and somebody didnt think of that for you..gotta improvise.